Case Study Tartu 3

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Name	Vabaduse väljak
Location	Tallinn
Country	Estonia
Office	OÜ Alver Trummal Arhitektid
Client	Tallinn City Government
Completion	20th August 2009
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-23.581609" lon="-46.590271" type="satellite" zoom="9" width="300" height="250"> </googlemap>

Core Question 1: In how far does this project reveal your concept of future landscapes?

Life in the city is changing as well as the purpose of different landscapes in it. City squares are a nodal point where people do not walk only one way or another, they form their own routes – they have more opportunities, more freedom to do it. The squares are becoming more important for people to entertain themselves and get positive emotions. It does not mean that the squares lose their usage as markets or gathering places, but emphasis is slowly moving from one to another.

Landscape and/or urban context

• Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

After the walls of Tallinn bastion were demolished and the dikes were softened in 18th century, the area was at first known as Heinaturg (a Hay Market). In 1875 it became Peetri plats (Peter’s square), where they placed a statue in 1910 for Peter I. In 1922 the government of the Republic of Estonia removed the statue and in 1923 it became the Square of Independence (Vabaduse väljak). Today it is a representative square in Tallinn situated between Jaani church and Harju hill. The area is 2,3 ha big, it’s purpose is to be a representative main square of Tallinn as well as a part of recreational and green zone around the old town of Tallinn. It is opened and available for all the inhabitants of the city, visitors and tourists. Under the square there is a 400-place parking lot.

The architects have designed a square that considers the historical architectural heritage, typology of the ground and future perspectives. The most important reason for building the square is to continue the net of green and recreational areas that are situated in the old bastions of the city wall.

Illustration: Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses

Cultural/social/political context

• Brief explanation of culture, political economy, legal framework

As a fortress surrounded by a wall Tallinn is a medieval legacy. Tallinn became an industrial city in Czarist Russia in the 20th century, and in 1920 the capital of the Republic of Estonia. The city started to develop behind the city walls and they were demolished. In 2006 when Tallinn could become the Cultural Capital of Europe the creation of a representative city square became more important.

Illustration: Bullet points, image, background notes

Spatial analysis of area/project/plan

• What are the main structural features?
• How has it been shaped? Were there any critical decisions?

Plan provides estate connecting ranging between the Vabaduse square Kaarli avenue and bastion wall. An open city square and underground parking will be built on the estate. In addition to the parking below ground there will also be a large commercial area with pedestrian tunnel, which can be accessed from a spacious stairway constructed on Vabaduse square. With constructing the underground parking lot Vabaduse square becomes the State Office Square and the pedestrian area is suitable for the capital. New Square is deflected around the bastion and combines so far scattered urban space elements with cityscape as a whole. Vabaduse Square has no longer very clear boundaries, they are distributed.

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Analysis of program/function

• What are the main functional characteristics?
• How have they been expressed or incorporated?

So that the space would be perceived the edges are marked with the various architectural elements - high lamp posts, colored glass walls, massive guards ... but they are half-transparent, allowing the simultaneous presence of several different spaces.

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Analysis of design/planning process

• How was the area/project/plan formulated and implemented?
• Were there any important consultations/collaborations?

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

Analysis of use/users

• How is the area/project/plan used and by whom?
• Is the use changing? Are there any issues?

The area is used by a lot of citizens, visitors and tourists. The Statue of Liberty that is situated in the Northern part of the square is a popular sight in Tallinn among tourists from Estonia as well as from foreign countries. The square was opened on the 20th August 2009 (that is the re-independence day in Estonia) and since then there has been a lot of actions going on – an extreme sports competition, a street basketball competition, movie nights, a party celebrating the 1st of September and the Independence Day Parade was held there on the 24th February 2010.

Since the Statue of Liberty on the Vabaduse väljak (the Independence square) was opened there has been problems with it (for example some of the glass-panels have been changed a few times) and it has given the statue a bit bad reputation among people.

Illustration: Map/diagram/sketches photos and background notes

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References

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