Revision as of 16:43, 20 February 2020

Area	Pärnu-Audru
Place	Pärnu county
Country	Estonia
Topics	please enter the main coast-related topics here
Author(s)	Marit Mõts, Angela Hõrak, Johanna Kapper, Ragne Nikkel, Nadina Patricija Zaremba

Rationale

Pärnu-Audru area has both natural areas and a big city on the coastline. The main challenge is to create a balance between valuable natural landscape and human activity. The site is vulnerable to natural forces like sea level rise due to climate change, rain caused flood, waves, wind and erosions.

Location and scope

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A Landscape System Analysis

A.1 Landscape layers and their system context

Geomorphology, landscape units and coastal typology

Pärnu-Audru coast line is located in the south – west of Estonia in Pärnu bay and is a part of Pärnu city. Geomorphology of the site was formed by the melting of glacier. Afterwards coastal landscape was influenced by natural forces such as continuing lifting process of Earth’s crust and other. Coastline consists of fine sandy beach and dunes behind it and a protected coastal meadow. Pärnu - one of the biggest Estonian rivers discharges in the sea. The coast line and the sandy beach is changing due to a continuous sedimentation process.

The site is influenced by anthropogenic pressure as well as natural forces. Pärnu city is one of the biggest in Estonia and is a popular tourist attraction, it has a lot of residential, commercial, industrial areas and a port. The pollution created by the city and from river discharge promotes the eutrophication process. The site is vulnerable to sea level rise and affected by winds, waves, ice, and erosions.

Map of Valgerand showing the variations in the position of the coastline from the beginning of the 20th century (denoted by 1900) until 2008 (Estonian Base Map). The striped areas mark erosion (1) and accumulation areas (2). Café Doberan was originally constructed in the 1920s far from the waterline but is located directly at the shoreline today. The sandy section starts from the polder located at the left border of the panel
The Pärnu River mouth area in the beginning of the 20th century and the coastline of the Estonian Base Map (2008)
Pärnu port
Doberani beach house café, Valgeranna

Land use

Coastline is mostly used for recreational purposes due to scenic white beach behind which there are mostly coniferous and some mixed forests. Bay is used for water sports, fishing and ship traffic. Audru district consists mostly of different arable lands and forests. There is also a built up area and a golf course near the coast. Pärnu is a sparsely built up area. As every city it has residential, recreational and commercial areas, as well as industrial territories and since it is a seaside city and located by the river, it has a busy port. During warm seasons it gets a lot of tourist traffic and the population of Pärnu can even double. Densely built up areas and more natural territories are connected by road and railroad infrastructure. The city has and continuous to develop due to urbanization, growing population and industry as well as natural factors. There are protected nature areas near the site. To the border of Pärnu there is an airport and if it develops the land use is likely to change.

Land use map, 2012
The generalised sea-related socio-cultural values of Pärnu County”
Municipality of Pärnu

Green/blue infrastructure

GREEN:

Valgeranna Conservation Area
Valgeranna Adventure Park
Valgeranna Golf
Beach
Audru polder conservation area
Reed
Old Pärnu beach
Pärnu Beach Park
Natural grassland
Natural open area
Forests
Fields
Private gardens

BLUE:

Pärnu Bay
River Pärnu
River Audru
Pärnu (cargo) port
Pärnu Pier
Artificial pond
Ponds

The availability of green and blue infrastructure is essential for the preservation of natural resources and values such as air quality, water purity and quality, public recreational facilities and climatic conditions. In Pärnu County, in the area between Pärnu and Audru, there are several elements of the green network and green infrastructure, different beaches, parks, people's gardens, rivers, ponds as well as two conservation areas.

Such a network of green and blue infrastructures will improve environmental conditions and thus the quality of life, support the economy and job opportunities, and increase biodiversity.

Green network protects nature from floods, member heat, and also helps to improve air, soil and water quality. Trees and woods in the area help to regulate the distribution of rainwater as they hold large amounts of rainwater. Forests and trees also retain carbon, which in turn improves air quality. Greening also improve people's quality of life, mental health and well-being.

There are also two conservation areas in the area between Pärnu-Audru, which are important sites for biodiversity and also for a better functioning green network. It allows nature to evolve more freely and provides connections between areas to provide the necessary pathways for species.

Different corridors between green and blue areas are useful for crossing different barriers for species. They also connect the green network and the blue network. In the area between Pärnu and Audru, such corridors include the Pärnu River and the Audru River.

The Blue Infrastructure Network includes various wetlands and biotopes that improve water quality and provide habitat for plants, improve soil conditions. Aquatic vegetation purifies water from pollutants and slows down water flow.

Audru polder
Valgeranna golf

Actors and stakeholders

The area is located in Pärnu city, bordered with Audru municipality and Pärnu river. The western side of the area is more rural, before the merge of municipalities, there used to be small villages. The eastern part is divided into a living area and industrial area. After the merge, Pärnu city can mean a city as it were, the urban site or “new” Pärnu city with all municipalities and villages. The urban side of the area has a good bus connection, to Audru, there is one bus line (frequency 1 hour). As there are no high schools in the area anymore, a lot of students have to take a bus to the other side of Pärnu every morning. In the area, there is one big supermarket and two gas stations, seafood and rental industries. As there are still a lot of “empty” areas, developers see there a great opportunity to invest and build new houses. While a city grows it as money laying on the ground. But developers have to consider local governments’ authority and interests in this area. Pärnu is known for its beaches and turning summer a lot of tourists (mostly Finnish) visit it. They have bought themselves a flat and rent it out turning a winter. As Pärnu beach is really popular among tourists, local people prefer Valgeranna beach. It is located just south of Audru, the administrative centre of the municipality, on the coast of Pärnu Bay. The city of Pärnu is located 7 km east. Near to Valgeranna beach, there are a golf course and adventure park.

West-South Estonian population density
West-South Estionia population growth speed
Powermap1
Powermap1.2

The changes are mostly driven by municipality and developers. Pärnu comes to life in summer, then there are a lot of tourists both from foreign lands and other side of Estonia. Most actions are based on tourists needs and desires. Often have a high power outlanders, who aren’t affected by the changes. Major stakeholder of landscape changes are industries. In the city and Valgeranna area are lots of seasonal activities meant for tourist. As these places are important, job wise, for locals too, a costal landscape change would affect mostly locals and in the end municipality overall As there are not any high school left in the area, we can only conclude that educational institutions have a rather low power.

Sacred spaces and heritage

As it can be seen in the map most of the cultural monuments in this are are located in Audru. In Audru there is Audru Manor it is typical ensemble of manor buildings. Today 14 buildings are well preserved and undre heritage protection . In Second World War the mansion was destroyed and the office of the state farm was built in ist stead. The stone barn is the oldest building of the manor ensemble with a high saddle roof and walls that are more than a metre thick. There is still a natural stone distillery, maid’s house with a tall chimney, granary and the manager’s house where is now rural municipality’s museum and library. The manor is surrounded by park where flows Audru river with 4 bridges.

Audru Holy Cross Church built in 1680 into the same place where was old wooden church (1636) by Jürgen Grabing from Latvia. The present exterior was designed by major repairs in 1834 and 1872. The stone tower comes from 1715.

Near Valgeranna between pine forest there is old holiday complex. The recreation complex was established for members of the Nomenclature of the ESSR Council of Ministers and for their guests because they needed precious vacation opportunites and representative provisions as for informal meetings of the authorities. The main house included four suites, office rooms and large reception hall with utility rooms. Currently this house is restaurant. The recration complex as a whole is a vivid example of the nomenclature lifestyle, which diversifies th eundrestanding of the possibilities of Soviet construction practice and the bending rules. This Holiday Complex was not subject to standard building norms and guidelines that time.

The Old-Pärnu Cemetery dates back to the 15th century and is still in use today, with repeated rulings.

There is also a lot of heritage areas that has been destroyed and there is no visible signe about them but the maps provide information about their former existence. For example Audru fishflour factory, Audru battlefield, Audru parish school, Audru landlords' cemetery.

Pärnu-Audru cultural areas and places
Pärnu-Audru destroyed and forgotten places

Visual appearance and landscape narrative

This case study area is located on the coast of Pärnu Bay. Essential landscape characters of this area are sandy beaches, pine woods, old houses/apartments and beautiful views along the coast. Those views are quite magical and have also been painted by many hobby artists. One painting called Valgeranna is painted in 1962 by an Estonian artist called Enno Lehis. The painter used watercolors to show the atmosphere of this white sandy beach with beautiful pine forest. In addition to beautiful views, there are lots of other paintings about this study area. Maybe the most famous one of them all is called Pärnu jõgi painted in 1957 by Elmar Kits. It shows the view from the Vana Pärnu town to the Pärnu river. Furthermore, this case study and its surroundings have represented the filming location for a number of movies and documentaries. One of them, Yachts at Sea (in Estonia called: jahid merel), was directed by Mihhail Jegorov in 1955 and this movie tells the story of young yachtsmen from the coastal town who deals with daily work, training and competitions without knowing about the downside. Another movie that captures the coastal landscape of Valgeranna and its surroundings is movie called Behind the Door (in Estonia called: Ukse taga), made in 2004.

Pärnu jõgi, 1957, Elmar Kits
Valgeranna, 1962, Enno Lehis
Audru, 1930
Typical houses in Vana Pärnu area.

A.2 Summary of your landscape system analysis and your development targets

DPSI(R) model that summrizes the landscape system analysis

Sustainable Development Goals at risk

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

By improving the quality of important environmental factors such as air, water and nature, it also creates conditions for better living conditions and the creation of a healthier society.

Goal 6: Ensure Access to water and sanitation for all

The presence of water, clean and good water quality, good sanitation will ensure better nutrition and reduce disease and death.

Goal 14: Conserve and sutainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

The sea regulates many of the things that affect our lives, such as rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of the food and oxygen in the air. The oceans and seas have always been important channels of trade and transport. Careful and proper management of this important global resource is one of the key elements for a sustainable future.

Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Forests play an important role in providing food and shelter, while forests play a key role in regulating climate change and in creating biodiversity. By protecting forests, we can strengthen the management of natural resources and also increase land productivity.

Hypothesis:

The rising sea level is a problem for the city because of the bad pipe system. In that case, possible safety precautions must be considered for future planning as the area is floodable. Every year they build more and more new houses in Pärnu, which means that more and more younger people and families will be living there. City expansion. Bus connection is not available in the coastal area near Valgeranna. Bus connection improvements allow visitors to visit the seaside more often. The use of a personal car is reduced. More people means more housing and people -it will lead to deforestation

Graphical overview of the hypothesis. Balance is important.

A.3 Theory reflection

International policy: Guiding Principles for City Climate Action Planning

Cities are beginning to realize the benefits of climate change. Facilitating climate change and the various mitigation measures that result from it will help cities meet their own development trends and priorities, address social challenges and environmental problems affecting cities. At the same time, cities are responding to other international action plans, such as the goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals.

European policy: Maritime spatial planning

For renewable energy equipment, aquaculture and other uses – it has highlighted the need to manage our waters more coherently. Maritime spatial planning works across borders and sectors to ensure human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way. That is why the European Parliament and the Council have adopted legislation to create a common framework for maritime spatial planning in Europe.

European policy: Communication on Green Infrastructure

Based on Communication on Green Infrastructure is it a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver ecosystem services such as water purification, air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. The European Commission has developed a Green Infrastructure Strategy, the purpose of the document is that the protection, restoration, creation and enhancement of green infrastructure become an integral part of spatial planning. In our case, Pärnu–Audru area includes urban and rural sites, to improve citizens' life quality and health, implementation of this method, by maintaining forests and Pärnu bay area, is essential

National policy: National Spatial Plan Estonia 2030

The main development objectives are balanced and sustainable settlements, convenient mobile facilities, make the energy infrastructure more available and to improve green infrastructure connections as well as preserve existing landscape values. When it comes to marine areas, sustainable and efficient utilization of them is important for international competitiveness. Planning and balance are key for the preservation of waterbodies and nature and providing possibilities for recreation, tourism, commercial activities and national defence.

A.4 References

Phase B: Landscape Evaluation and Assessment

B.1 Assessment Strategy

Based on the hypothesis derived from your previous landscape systems analysis you are now asked to define the goals for assessing the landscape. Your assessment is the basis for evaluating the landscape status.
Which elements and phenomena need to be mapped, why and how?
This a text contribution, max 250 words

B.2 Mapping

As defined by your assessment strategy you conduct the mapping and present your findings here
As a minimum, at least three different themes need to be mapped, you may choose more if needed

Your case your assessment mapping themel.jpg

briefly explain the findings of your mapping
Your case your assessment mapping theme2.jpg

briefly explain the findings of your mapping
Your case your assessment mapping theme3.jpg

briefly explain the findings of your mapping

B.3 Problem definition and priority setting

Give a summary of the major findings of your mapping process, what are the problems/potentials identified?
Draw a problems/potentials map
Set priorities for the most relevant issues

Your case problems potentials map.jpg

add caption here

B.4 Theory reflection

Please reflect the assessment and evaluation methods used based on at least three readings
Did you encounter limitations'
200 words test contribution

B.5 References

give a full list of the references you have used for this section

Phase C – Strategy and Master Plan

C.1 Goal Setting

Define strategic planning objectives based on the evaluation findings
Link back to your original targets from section one and the Development Goals
150 words text contribution

C.2 Spatial Strategy and Transect

translate your strategic goals into a vision
develop a spatial translation of your vision
exemplify your vision in the form of a transect with concrete interventions
add map(s) and visualizations

Your case spatial translaton vision.jpg

add caption here
Your case transect.jpg

add caption here
Your case transect detail1.jpg

add caption here
Your case transect detail2.jpg

add caption here

C.3 From Theory of Change to Implementation

For implementing your vision: Which partnerships are needed? Which governance model is required?
Who needs to act and how? Draw and explain a change/process model/timeline
Which resources are needed? On which assets can you build?
add 150 words text and visuals

Your case spatial your governance model.jpg

add caption here
Your case spatial your process model.jpg

add caption here

C.4 References

give a full list of the references you have used for this section

D. Process Reflection

Reflect in your intercultural and interdisciplinary team on the outcomes of your study
Which limitations were you facing?
What have you learnt from each other?
What would you do differently next time?
You can also use diagrams/visuals
250 words text

@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 == A.2 Summary of your landscape system analysis and your development targets ==
-* ''You can summarize your findings with an DPSI(R) Model or a Spider Diagram''
-* ''Link back to the [http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals Sustainable Development Goals]: Which goals are at risk?''
 <gallery caption=" " widths="800px" heights="400px" perrow="5">
@@ Line 232: / Line 228: @@
 * https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ecosystems/benefits/index_en.htm
 * http://www.audru.ee/tutvustus-ja-asukoht
+* https://www.e-kunstisalong.ee/
+* https://www.efis.ee/et/abi/moodulid/otsing&keywords=valgeranna&search_type=Films
 = Phase B: Landscape Evaluation and Assessment =

COLAND Case Study 2020 - Pärnu - Audru: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:43, 20 February 2020

Contents

Rationale

Location and scope

A Landscape System Analysis

A.1 Landscape layers and their system context