Estonia’s new plan steers growth toward compact regional centres

Estonia’s proposed national spatial plan through 2050 calls for stronger regional centres linked by rail and more compact development, ERR reported. The plan went on public display on Tuesday, and local authorities say its priorities must be backed by state funding and practical action.

Economy and Industry Minister Liina Vahtras said deliberate decisions on land use were needed as development increasingly concentrates around the capital. The plan aims to support a more balanced distribution of settlement across the country.

The Economy Ministry’s Deputy Secretary General for Planning, Ivan Sergejev, said the plan’s priorities were balance and compactness. Developing near existing services and infrastructure could reduce the need to build new roads, schools and kindergartens, while making services more accessible and limiting environmental impacts.

Compact development does not mean that everyone should live in cities, Sergejev said. Instead, municipalities should favour denser growth over sprawl and make better use of the services and infrastructure already available at different levels, from smaller settlements to regional centres.

The Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities broadly supports compact development, its deputy director, Heiki Hepner, said. He added that natural land in good condition should be used only after other options have been exhausted.

Municipalities also emphasise their autonomy in spatial planning. The plan initially envisaged 10 centres, but now proposes 15 regional towns, as well as a group of four towns in northeastern Estonia, Hepner said.

Hepner said the plan sets priorities but must be followed by state action on funding, public services and public transport. He cited railway links as a challenge, noting that Rail Baltic was currently on hold, the Haapsalu line was incomplete and progress towards Tartu remained limited. He said a practical plan was needed to put the proposals into effect.

The plan is available at riigiplaneering.ee, and feedback is being accepted until November 4.