Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020
Foreword
Introduction
Key messages
Estonia has advanced to 30th position in the world in terms of human development, but has since stalled
Estonia’s metropolisation is reflected in the continued growth of the Greater Tallinn urban area, where people, economic activity and services are concentrating, while the rest of Estonia is shrinking and degenerating
The multilocality enjoyed by people living in Estonian connects Tallinn with the counties, and the cities with the villages
Public debate results in a better living environment and greater consensus
Built heritage and natural areas as part of our culture strengthen people’s relationship with the environment and their sense of belonging
Future perspectives
References
1
Diversity in the Estonian living environment
Introduction
Key messages
Points of departure
Articles in this chapter
Estonia in the international context
How do we move forward?
References
1.1
Changes in land use: distortion of the meaning of urban and rural
Population decline and migration to urban regions affect landscapes
Built-up areas are increasing mostly around cities
Urban sprawl reduces the diversity of the use of space in urban areas and their surroundings
Agricultural landscape is shrinking and becoming less populated
Forest land is growing but we have less coniferous forests and the forests are becoming younger
The preservation of valuable agricultural lands restrains landscape changes
Protecting valuable landscapes and conservation areas helps preserve the overall appearance of landscapes
Summary
References
1.2
Increasing regional polarisation in Estonia
Peripheralisation is self-reproducing
The stigmatisation of rural areas and small towns exacerbates peripheralisation
Competitiveness-based regional policy has not reduced peripheralisation
The peripheral status and image of a place sets limits to its competitiveness
Summary
Acknowledgements
References
1.3
The triumph of planning freedom in suburban Estonia
How to define a suburb?
One-tenth of Estonians live in the suburbs
Suburban neighbourhoods are characterised by a fragmented settlement structure
The pattern of a new suburb emerges as the sum of detailed spatial plans
Place-making as an expression of market forces and planning policy
Easily accessible public services and spaces are limited in the suburbs
Summary
References
1.4
Modern living conditions – whose privilege?
A typical person in Estonia lives in a Soviet-era mass housing apartment; the housing stock is renewed faster in the capital region
The condition of the housing stock is improving, but rural housing is in worse condition
Financial security: key to improved living conditions
The housing sector was fully geared towards market-based housing after independence was restored
New public-sector measures have been introduced over time
Reconstruction grants help to improve living conditions, but unevenly across regions
The key question in the housing sector is – what are the options for intervention?
References
1.5
Accessibility changes in motorised Estonia
The rapid motorisation of the 1990s is stabilising
Motorisation affects the environment, people’s health, mobility and access to services
Life in low-density areas is car-centred
Suburbs are more car-centred than urban centres
The development of mobility in urban centres is based on cars
Future trends: enabling various modes of mobility in suitable volumes will reduce the use of cars
Acknowledgements
References
2
Public urban space
Introduction
Key messages
Points of departure
Articles in this chapter
Estonia in the international context
How do we move forward?
References
2.1
Public space as an interconnecting network within the living environment
Public space is a network connecting people’s homes, workplaces and other activity spaces
The quality of public space is mainly determined by its continuity for all users
The concept of public space has not been defined in Estonian legislation
The public sector has not established itself as an advocate and commissioning party for public space
The public space can only function as a network if the state and local governments emphasise it in spatial decisions at every level
Summary
References
2.2
Built heritage and spatial quality
Built heritage helps to create diverse space
The conservation of existing buildings is the basis for sustainable spatial development
Individual spatial decisions have a major impact on cultural heritage and regional development
Monuments are a common good and a shared responsibility
Summary
References
2.3
Urban activism in the co-creation of public space
Urban activism as a political activity changes in time and its form varies according to the aims pursued
Urban activism implements existing models and invents new models of participatory democracy
Urban activism spurs the development of civil society
The impact of movements and individuals involved in spatial design is expressed in new forms of participatory culture
Challenges to activism in urban design
Summary
References
2.4
Data-driven spatial planning
Open-access spatial data can only benefit society
First steps in data-driven spatial planning in Estonia
Clear connections between spatial analyses and subsequent decisions are rare
High time to introduce data-driven spatial planning
From follower to leader
Summary
References
3
Natural environment as a public good
Introduction
Key messages
From the condition of the natural environment to environmental justice and environmental democracy
The social role of the natural environment requires better monitoring
The overall condition of Estonian nature has deteriorated
The options for spending time in nature are narrowing
Neighbourhood natural areas and urban green spaces require more attention from planners
Future perspectives
References
3.1
How do people use the natural environment in Estonia?
The public use of the Estonian natural environment is based on everyman’s right
Estonian educational and hiking trails offer good recreational opportunities
The number of visitors to conservation areas is increasing and the visitor profiles are diversifying
Towns and cities have many green spaces, but their quality requires attention
Information on the use of natural areas is fragmentary
Half of the population go berry or mushroom picking
Nature education, mobility and landscape planning contribute to foraging for wild produce
Hunting combines outdoorsmanship with meeting societal expectations
The number of recreational fishermen in Estonia is stable
Summary
References
3.2
The impact of natural areas on people’s well-being
The relationship between the size of natural areas and the self-reported health of Estonian adults
The health benefits of natural areas are not sufficiently taken into account during planning
The buffering capacity of natural areas is weakening
Education is key to unlocking the potential of natural areas
Summary
References
3.3
Shaping natural areas for public use
The planning of natural areas is based on the principle of subsidiarity
International development objectives and national policies influence the status of natural areas
Natural areas have different access options and restrictions on use
The green network connects natural areas, but its function as a whole is not guaranteed
Summary
References
3.4
Public participation in decisions on the use of natural areas
Public debate on the environment was induced by events in the 1980s in Soviet Estonia
The current legal framework on public participation and environmental information in Estonia is sound
The public can mostly participate in the management of public space
Despite the right to participate, Estonians are passive and pessimistic
Stakeholders expect more effective methods of participation
Access to environmental information is a requirement for substantive public participation
Citizens that follow the natural environment promote civil society
Summary
References
4
Estonian deliberative space
Introduction
Key messages
Points of departure
Articles in this chapter
How do we move forward?
References
4.1
Socio-political discussion in the digital public space
The affordances of social media encourage emotion-based communication
Internet use in Estonia
Closed meaning creation evokes polarisation
Open meaning creation involves various parties
Summary
References
4.2
Estonian youth in the virtual opinion space
Estonian children use the internet daily
Children’s digital literacy is improving
Digital participation does not appeal to Estonian youth
Types of civic participation among Estonian youth
Factors hindering the digital participation of young people
Young people perceive the weaknesses of the virtual opinion space
Summary
Acknowledgements
References
4.3
The deliberative space shaped by the press
Media control of the opinion space in traditional media channels
Inclusive architecture and the functioning of online journalism
The contradictory potential of social media
Summary
References
4.4
The role and status of experts in societal media discussions
The role of scientists in societal debates
A plan for a wood processing plant encouraged academics to lead the public debate
Public debate on forestry did not bring experts any closer together
Summary
References
5
Estonian living environment in 2050
Introduction
Key messages
What is scenario planning?
Main trends
Acknowledgements
Forecasts and scenarios used
References
Estonia 2050 scenarios
Estonia voluntarily forced into cities
One-hour Estonia
Estonia of rogues and rascals
Self-sufficient Estonia
6
Contributors and Editors
Editor-in-chief
Editors
Contributors
7
Info
Estonian Human Development Report 2019/2020
1
Diversity in the Estonian living environment