Better late than never: New Põhja-Tallinn comprehensive plan lays down long-term goals

The Põhja-Tallinn (North Tallinn) comprehensive plan, finalized after more than 15 years, outlines how one of the capital's largest districts should develop. The plan emphasizes opening up the coastline to the public, prioritizing public transport and cycling infrastructure and integrating new development areas with each other.
The development of the new Põhja-Tallinn comprehensive plan has taken 15 years and is now at the stage where the city government is expected to approve it later in January and submit it to the city council for adoption. However, it will still take time to finalize, as public discussions will follow the adoption process.
"In reality, we still have several steps to take before it is officially established," noted Tallinn Deputy Mayor Madle Lippus (SDE).
Fifteen years is undeniably too long to draft a district's comprehensive plan, Lippus added. Since the plans for other districts also require updates, the city government is considering the need for a completely new comprehensive plan for all of Tallinn.
"The Põhja-Tallinn comprehensive plan has taken an unreasonably long time to complete. We also have other plans that need updating and older ones that need to be reviewed. It is a very clear goal moving forward to ensure that comprehensive plans are not processed over such lengthy periods," Lippus stated.
She added, "The discussions we are currently having are centered on whether, instead of continuing with the draft comprehensive plan for the Kesklinn (City Center) district, it might make more sense to create a new plan for the entirety of Tallinn."
The reason is straightforward: both the city and the principles of urban planning have evolved during the extended drafting period.
"There are many issues that require a citywide approach, such as transportation corridors, the green network and the planning of schools and kindergartens," said Lippus.

Population of Põhja-Tallinn could grow by 40,000 people
The Põhja-Tallinn comprehensive plan aims to address the major challenges of this rapidly changing district: opening up the largely inaccessible coastline and former industrial areas while improving the district's overall connectivity. The focus is on "opening and connecting," as Deputy Mayor Lippus put it.
"Due to its industrial past, Põhja-Tallinn is somewhat challenging to navigate. There is the large Kopli freight station and other long, closed-off areas that divide the district. The comprehensive plan outlines how to open these spaces, including plans for new roads and pathways. For example, with the recently adopted Krulli development plan, it's not just about the buildings or what needs to be preserved but also ensuring the area becomes accessible to people — something it currently is not," Lippus explained.
The largest development areas in Põhja-Tallinn include former factory and port zones, known as "brownfield" sites: the Paavli and Maleva quarters, the Meeruse, Bekker, and Paljassaare port areas, as well as the Kopli freight station site.
Estimates suggest that once these areas are fully developed, the district's population will increase by nearly 40,000 residents.
This population growth is expected to be accompanied by an increase in jobs. For instance, in Paljassaare, the number of jobs is projected to exceed the number of new residents (11,411 jobs compared to 10,935 residents). The greatest population growth is expected in areas encompassing the Noblessner, Krulli, Paavli, Manufaktuuri and Kopli freight station developments, with an estimated increase of 13,445 residents. In Kopli, where the Bekker and Meeruse port areas are key development zones, the population is expected to grow by 9,500.
The nearly 14-hectare Paavli quarter is earmarked in the comprehensive plan to become a local business hub. The plan notes that the area currently lacks a street network, pedestrian access and green spaces. "By extending Manufaktuuri tänav, the quarter will be integrally connected to Kopli and Sõle streets. Paavli tänav, as a key pedestrian route, must be designed with priority given to pedestrians and cyclists," the explanatory memorandum states.
Located in the northern part of the district, the Maleva quarter is currently dominated by commercial and industrial buildings. In the future, it is envisioned as a mixed-use urban area with both residential and business functions. To support its development, a transport hub connecting Kopli and Maleva streets with public transport will need to be established.
The 30-hectare Meeruse and Bekker port areas, located in the Kopli subdistrict and currently home to warehouses, industrial buildings and port facilities, will be transformed into a residential and commercial quarter with a seaside promenade running through it.

An even larger development area, covering 64 hectares, is located in Paljassaare, which is currently a mostly closed-off port zone. In the future, this area is planned to feature a mixed-use urban environment with residential, commercial, recreational and green spaces, offering access to the sea. The existing port infrastructure will be repurposed and made more accessible.
To make possible the planned Hundipea urban district in the Paljassaare development area, a Sitsi public transport hub connecting it to Kopli and Tööstuse streets will need to be constructed. "In terms of urban planning, this involves rethinking the entire area, redesigning the intersection and adding new transport corridors," Lippus said.
Some of the major development areas are already under construction, while others remain in the planning stages. According to Lippus, the natural progression is to prioritize projects closer to the city center, gradually moving toward the development of more remote areas.
"It makes sense that the Krulli development is progressing faster; it borders Kalamaja, which people mentally associate with the city center. Fully developing the more distant areas takes longer, even from the perspective of developers' business plans. You can only develop areas for people who are willing to live that far from the city center, but that readiness doesn't happen overnight. Right now, Kopli still feels far away for many — it's not their first choice," Lippus explained.
Lippus also noted that developers have been consulted during the drafting of the comprehensive plan. "This gives us a more realistic picture. We're not planning the future on a blank slate but constantly weighing different interests and possibilities. The infrastructure there has to support it all," she said.
More schools and kindergartens needed
Although the population is expected to grow by tens of thousands with the realization of development plans, population forecasts suggest a decline in demand for kindergarten places. For primary school-aged children, the forecast indicates continued growth, but at a slower pace. According to the comprehensive plan, no major changes to the school network will be necessary over the next 10 to 15 years.
However, by 2040, the number of high school students is expected to increase by 20 percent compared to current levels, meaning Põhja-Tallinn will need one additional high school.
But according to Madle Lippus, in reality, there is already an urgent need for more kindergartens and schools in Põhja-Tallinn.
"There are significant issues we are addressing as we go. For instance, the Manufaktuuri kindergarten is in the design phase and the entire development area is already underway and will be completed soon. Additionally, we have two new schools planned for Põhja-Tallinn. A kindergarten is also planned for the Krulli quarter. Kindergartens have been planned for all development areas," Lippus explained.

More residential buildings can be built if tram or train stops nearby
The growing population will pose an even greater challenge for traffic, as Põhja-Tallinn is currently served by only two major roads: Sõle and Kopli streets. The comprehensive plan emphasizes the need to prioritize the development of public transportation and cycling infrastructure.
"All mobility must be oriented toward prioritizing public transportation, with a dense network and convenient transfer options," states the draft explanatory memorandum.
The plan establishes a requirement that all development areas in Põhja-Tallinn must be connected to public transport, with the scale of developments tied to the availability of tram lines or, where possible, rail lines. "The principle should be that the better the rail transport connection, the greater the volume of development that can be realized," the memorandum explains.
According to Deputy Mayor Lippus, the preference for trams is straightforward: they have a higher capacity than buses. The plan also outlines future rail transport connections to Paljassaare, Sõle tänav, the Stroomi Beach area to Kopli, Kalaranna tänav and other locations.
The draft also envisions utilizing trains as public transport, such as in the Kopli freight station development area, where space has been reserved for high-capacity rail transit and a station near Telliskivi tänav.
Even more ambitious rail transport plans are included, such as connecting major development areas to the city center via train. However, Lippus clarified that the plan considers rail as an option, with rapid transit corridors potentially accommodating buses in the future. "The entire comprehensive plan is driven by the need to focus on public transport," she noted.
Regarding existing or former rail infrastructure, the plan specifies that several rail branches in development areas — such as the Kopli freight station, Paljassaare port, Meeruse and Bekker ports on the Kopli peninsula and the Volta and Krulli factory sites — are being or will be partially or fully removed. However, the primary rail network up to the Kopli peninsula will be preserved.

For the Kopli freight station, Lippus noted that the area intended for public use will be part of the Putukaväil project. "It is partially owned by private developers and partially by Estonian Railways. The goal is for Putukaväil to start near Telliskivi tänav, with pathways planned there. The rail corridor will remain for now. Putukaväil itself will turn toward Puhangu tänav, but one rail line will extend to Paljassaare near Hundipea," Lippus explained.
The comprehensive plan also identifies potential for developing short-distance ferry services, or water taxis, to connect the district's coastal port areas (such as Katariina Quay, Paljassaare, Noblessner and Linnahall) with the city center and other neighborhoods or districts, including Pirita and Kakumäe.
Existing streets could not facilitate more traffic
The Põhja-Tallinn mobility study highlights that the district's current street network cannot handle additional traffic loads. The comprehensive plan aims to densify the street network to distribute traffic more evenly and ensure better access to neighborhoods and coastal development areas.
Key infrastructure projects outlined in the plan include the Kopli-Sitsi-Tööstuse intersection, the Maleva tänav intersection and the street network in the Merimetsa area.
Põhja puiestee and Rannamäe tee are slated for reconstruction to create a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly connection between the Old Town, the coastline, the port area and the Baltic Station/Telliskivi Creative City district.
The comprehensive plan also allows for a multi-level solution to address the Põhja puiestee-Kalasadama tänav intersection if necessary. "The need for and feasibility of a multi-level intersection at this location should be carefully considered, taking into account heritage and environmental protection aspects, as well as improving convenient pedestrian connections between the Old Town and the sea," the plan notes.
Plan to open closed beach areas
Põhja-Tallinn boasts 20 kilometers of coastline, much of which has historically been inaccessible due to port areas. The district has more ports than any other part of Tallinn, with most already opened to the public or undergoing redevelopment, with more planned for the near future.
"Since Kalamaja and Põhja-Tallinn as a whole have such extensive coastal areas that have been closed off until now, it's very important that this plan aims to open them up. Even in areas that aren't accessible yet, the goal is to plan for their opening and ensure they are truly accessible to everyone," said Madle Lippus.
According to the comprehensive plan, open and mixed-use land is designated for areas such as Patarei Port, the Seaplane Harbor, Noblessner, Lahesuu and, at later stages, the Paljassaare, Meeruse, Bekker and former border guard ports. These areas will gradually make the waterfront accessible to residents, creating urban and residential environments along the coastline. The Vene-Balti Port at the tip of the Kopli Peninsula will remain a cargo and industrial port.
Regarding beaches, the new comprehensive plan emphasizes preserving the natural shoreline at Kopli Lines (Kopli liinid), Viruliiva Beach and the Kopli fishing village. However, the plan mentions relatively little about Stroomi Beach, one of Tallinn's largest and most popular beaches.
"Stroomi is undoubtedly a very important part of Põhja-Tallinn. It is already heavily used, but to ensure it remains that way, we need to think about it more thoroughly," Lippus noted.

--
Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!
Editor: Marcus Turovski