Tartu City Center Planning Challenge

Urban Regeneration in Tartu: Connecting Raekoja Plats to River Emajõgi Nahshon Jagroop, Mari Kirss, Michael Longley, Kalyna Paraszczak, & Shawn Rooney

Location and Geography

Land Use

Existing Conditions

Limited accessibility to river

Deterioration of the bridge is evident

Structural integrity is questionable

Safety along river edge is minimum - Hardscape edge condition along river

Existing Conditions Solid landscape

Cobblestone limits bicycle access from uneven surface

Restaurant seating uses significant amount of public space

Lack of greenspace and vegetation

Different material textures such as cobblestone, and brick occupy ground surface

Existing Conditions

Pedestrian access to bridge is hindered

Bicycle accessibility is limited by small ramp

Pedestrians mainly used ramp instead of stairs

Existing Conditions

Overgrown trees block view of city square

Greenspace ends with bridge towards town square

Existing Conditions Vast green space at the eastern connection of Kaarsild

There are few places for seating and leisure within the park

The central multi-use path in Ülejõe Park lacks lighting and is dark during evening hours

Safety is a concern

Goals

1.Increase pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

2.Increase green space within central square

3.Improve visual connections between Kaarsild and Raekoja Plats

4.Promote greener transportation modes within the city center

Planning Recommendations

Diverting Traffic

Pedestrian & Bicycle Access

Make Walking and Bicycling Part of the Business: Walk at work programs - Partner with large employers to design and publicize routes to walk or bike to work - Nortal (2016 most bicycle-friendly company in Tartu)

Offer Incentives for Biking and Walking - Mileage clubs

Provide a Guide - Walking and bicycling maps

Bike Share Implementation Strategies

Build on What's There - Expand and plan on Tartu’s existing Bike infrastructure - Idealy make Town Square site (near Taxi’s) & at the end of the mainline of Ülejõe Park

Make it Appealing - Bike to Tartuff Movie festival

Involve Children and Families - Walk/Bike to school day programs

Educational and historical walks or bike tours

Bike Share Implementation Strategies

Source: www.maaamet.ee

Bike Infrastructure in Tartu

Examples of potential Bike Share stations in Tartu

Source: www.maaamet.ee

Bike Infrastructure around Tartu Connectivity to nearby settlements:

Lähte (15 km from Tartu)

Kõrveküla (6 km from Tartu)

Haage (13 km from Tartu)

Lohkva (7 km from Tartu)

Ülenurme (8 km from Tartu)

Külitse (10 km from Tartu)

Source: http://www.tartu.ee/data/Tartu_rattakaart_2012_KL-12-029.pdf

Promoting Growing Trends: Bike Sharing

Addressed Goals

- Increases pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

- Promotes greener transportation modes within site

Ideas and Concepts

Site Plan

Site Design: Kaarsild

Site Design: Kaarsild

Site Design: Kaarsild Goal: - Provide shade on Kaarsild with a

framed cover that blocks morning sun and takes in afternoon sun

Source: Google image search

Source: Google image search

Site Design: Kaarsild

Source: http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/04/FTL-Solar-Fabric-2.jpg

Source: https://maribyhelena.wordpress.com/tag/tantsupeo-proov/

Solar panels on the topEstonian national pattern on the reverse side

Site Rejuvenation: Kaarsild

Addressed Goals

- Increases pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

- Promotes greener transportation modes within site

- Improves visual connections between Kaarsild and Raekoja Plats

Site Design: Walkability & Bicycle Access

Site Design: Walkability & Bicycle Access

Site Design: Walkability & Bicycle Access

Site Design: Walkability & Bicycle Access

Walkability & Bicycle Access

Addressed Goals

- Increases pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

- Promotes greener transportation modes within site

Site Design: River Emajõgi Access

Site Design: River Emajõgi Access

Flood Planning In extreme climatic circumstances flooding within site is relatively contained.

Daily activities within site are not hindered by flooding

River Emajõgi Access

Addressed Goals

- Increases pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

- Improves visual connections between Kaarsild and Raekoja Plats

Site Design: Raekoja Plats

Site Design: Raekoja Plats

Source: Google image search

Site Design: Raekoja Plats

Addressed Goals

- Increases pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats

- Improves visual connections between Kaarsild and Raekoja Plats

Concluding Increase pedestrian access to Emajõgi and Raekoja Plats- Bridge re-design

Increase green space within central square- Making Design elements transferable

Improve visual connections between Kaarsild and Raekoja Plats- Remove elements that block flow and aesthetic visibility

Promote greener transportation modes within the city center- Cont. Bike Share initiatives

Questions?