Case Study F: East-Kopli

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Area East Kopli
Place Tallinn, Kopli
Country Estonia
Topics Wild Coastline
Author(s) Soumaya Benaddia, Inès Masson, Hicham Karkouch, Elisa Ruocco, Mariangela Perillo, Rashad Gasimov, Tereza Slaba, Marie Huron, Liisa-Maria Tiidu

East Kopli.JPG

Rationale

The area of East Kopli is a part of Tallin, which presents a suggestive landscape but also some difficulties. It is characterized by a former railway line along the edge of the area and there are private houses defined by high fences. There are also brownfields made up of wild vegetation, iron and concrete. There is also a large garage which contains aligned sheet metal with an entrance in the southern part. The coastline has not a beach, but ground mixed with algae and stones. It would be very interesting to create new connection points in order to improve environmental quality.

However, this place has many potentials and it could reborn through the project of sustainable infrastructures. The project could be the solution to preserve this precious area which is featured by an admirable landscape, starting from the development of the coastline that has an informal access to the sea. Moreover, the brownfields, as "waste" lands, could become places of aggregations based on an environmental improvement.

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

Landscape units

East Kopli is divided in 2 different space : • Natural area (or related to nature) : this area is divided by the shoreline, the pastures, arable land and a 29.5m hill. • Built up area : this area consists of different types of houses (a slum, small houses with garden (and a group of villa in the western edge) or industrial buildings.

Coastal typology

The site is located in Kopli, Tallin, in the Paljassaare Bay, in between Kopli peninsula and Väike Paljassaare peninsula. Kopli is located in a coastal zone, the region is directly influenced by marine processes. The site is characterized by a 25m on average wide shoreline and a pebble beach. There's a lake (salty lake?) located behind the shoreline.

Beach morphology

In the kopli’s coastal area, we have a strip of white beach, formed by sand and pebbles of sedimentary origin’s. These pebbles are carried by the currents or streams that flow down towards the coast.


  • View from the hill

    View from the hill

  • Plebbe Beach

    Plebbe Beach

Land use

Being on the outskirts of the city, with 6km distance to Tallinn Old City, East Kopli is developed as an Industrial Part. This development shaped the Peninsula. Worker Quarters also developed in that area. However, with the collapse of Soviets Industry abandoned, and the area used for construction waste. Maps produced in different times shows the development of the area. Also satellite images showing that some demolitions have been conducted in the area.

  • Area Development

    Area Development

  • Land Use

    Land Use

Green/blue infrastructure

  • For the blue mesh, three elements are notable. First of all, the site is located along the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless his beach is not used as such, it is covered with concrete blocks, algae and stones. The second point is the presence of three water zones, whose information about them is not easy to find. Thus, we can think that they are connected to the industrial zone to the north, bordering the site, serving as water reserves. The largest area seems to have good water quality thank's to the presence of aquatic vegetation as well as animals, such as swans. The second, located in the northern part, has two narrow watercourses whose drawing stops at the road level, in front of the industry. The last water zone seems disconnected from the other two. Finally, the last point is a limit cutting the studied area in two, which delimits a restriction to the water.

    For the blue mesh, three elements are notable. First of all, the site is located along the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless his beach is not used as such, it is covered with concrete blocks, algae and stones. The second point is the presence of three water zones, whose information about them is not easy to find. Thus, we can think that they are connected to the industrial zone to the north, bordering the site, serving as water reserves. The largest area seems to have good water quality thank's to the presence of aquatic vegetation as well as animals, such as swans. The second, located in the northern part, has two narrow watercourses whose drawing stops at the road level, in front of the industry. The last water zone seems disconnected from the other two. Finally, the last point is a limit cutting the studied area in two, which delimits a restriction to the water.

  • The green mesh is drawn according to three categories. First to the south a green corridor, planted with tall trees and a lawn, located on the old train tracks marks the beginning of the study area. It starts the second green zone marked by gardens located at the front and back of the houses, crossed by a long road leading to the sea. The vegetation is dense, there are trees, hedges , shrubs, low planted and wild vegetation, creating a visual barrier along the road. Finally, the rest of the area are brownfields with low type vegetation and wild suitable for some animals such as hares and rabbits that have been sighted there.

    The green mesh is drawn according to three categories. First to the south a green corridor, planted with tall trees and a lawn, located on the old train tracks marks the beginning of the study area. It starts the second green zone marked by gardens located at the front and back of the houses, crossed by a long road leading to the sea. The vegetation is dense, there are trees, hedges , shrubs, low planted and wild vegetation, creating a visual barrier along the road. Finally, the rest of the area are brownfields with low type vegetation and wild suitable for some animals such as hares and rabbits that have been sighted there.

Actors and stakeholders

East-Kopli is a part of Tallinn, it is dominated by the North Tallinn government. In order to manage the activities of the district, the North Tallinn Government, which is led by the district governor, is established as the city authority. The Tallinn City Council, which is formed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Statutes of Tallinn, acts as the working body of the City Council. In order to ensure the development of the city district and to ensure the normal functioning of the infrastructure in accordance with the unified interests and tasks of the city as a whole, and taking into account the specificity of the district, the city district solves the tasks assigned to it by the state and Tallinn legislation in the following areas like: social welfare, housing and communal services, waste management, spatial planning, sports and culture education etc. City governor, who leads the government, manages and organizes government work, signs other government documents or authorize other government officials to do so, ensure the preparation of the draft budget of the district government and the implementation of the budget of the district government and the keeping of records pursuant to the procedure provided for in the legislation of the state and the city.

Kopli Society and Charity The non-profit association Kopli Society has been engaged in charity for years, because the members of the Society are convinced that if possible, the fertilized people should be helped. But after the twenty-three children were given sports shoes and school bags and the state demanded a special discount on this activity, members of the Society are convinced that every good deed can be punished once.

  • Power Map of East Kopli

    Power Map of East Kopli

Sacred spaces and heritage

Important part of cultural heritage in East-Kopli is natural heritage. Part of the area called Paljassaare is under European natural protection Natura 2000. It belongs under the Bird directive. In the area live around 227 bird species and 82 of them are protected by the directive.
Another significant part of cultural heritage in this area is a fishing tradition .

  • Paljassare, Natura 2000

    Paljassare, Natura 2000

Visual appearance and landscape narrative

East Kopli district is characterized by a rather wild coastline. It is somehow accessible for people who wants to benefit from the proximity between Kopli district and the Baltic sea. Wide brownfields extend along the coast and offer residents the possibility to run or to bicycle in a peaceful and natural environment. However, despite these natural and recreational potentials, the area is not very welcoming. The accesses are not clear and an unsafe feeling is present throughout the site. An uncertain soviet past is floating in the atmosphere and remains unreadable.

A surprising 29,5 meters high hill is also characterizing this coastal landscape. It stands as the former Kopli landfill, which have been used until 2016. Hundred kilograms of waste are today covered by clay and grass. This “trash mountain” could offer unusual possibilities to overview the coast or hike on it.

The residential Neeme Street is also an important landscape character as it is composed of a series of individual houses. Their architecture are remarkable as they were built in the 1920s and refers to traditional Estonian houses. The Estonian architect Edgar Johan Kuusik (1888-1974) has designed a couple of wooden houses in this street. They reveal the quietness and the attractiveness of this coastline during the first part of the XXs century.


Finally, the East Kopli district stands as a place dominated by an abandoned post soviet landscape. The wild brownfields and the former landfill are key landmarks with huge potentials for biodiversity and maybe human recreation. The residential street shows that people are still living in this place on the hedge between the city and nature.


  • Wild Eastern Kopli Coast through the perception of residents, 2017

    Wild Eastern Kopli Coast through the perception of residents, 2017

  • Kopli Landfill, used until 2016

    Kopli Landfill, used until 2016

  • Private House in Neeme Street, Architect Edgar Kuusik, 1924

    Private House in Neeme Street, Architect Edgar Kuusik, 1924

A.2 Summary of you landscape system analysis and your development Targets

The DPSR(I) model describes the interaction between the society and the environment. In this case it start from the analysis of five main words-drive, pressure, state, impact, resolve- in connection with the area of study.

  • The DPSR(I) MODEL

    The DPSR(I) MODEL

The studied zone presents numerous elements and particular landscape features that hold a great deal of potential, but if all driving forces and current pressures are maintained, it could potentially lead to the take over of private stakeholders that would seize the opportunity and develop lucrative structures which is aimed at developing touristic attractions rather than promoting structures that would benefit local inhabitants and environmental wellbeing, such as hotels, resorts, and high-end housing. This would in turn lead to the rise of land value, and therefor lead to the impoverishment and gentrification of the area. On the other hand, this "attraction oriented development" could also cause environmental decline by putting pressure on the natural ressources, especially on the water front, and generating big amounts of waste that need to be managed.

  • Possible "attraction driven" development (hotels, resorts, housing and so on). Which might lead to gentrification and cause social and environmental decline

    Possible "attraction driven" development (hotels, resorts, housing and so on). Which might lead to gentrification and cause social and environmental decline

A.3 Theory reflection

  • Reflect on at least three international policy documents in relation to their local landscape case
  • choose one international, one European and one national document
  • You can choose references from our reading list
  • Scope: 250 words


Natura 2000

Natura 2000 is a network of ptoected areas connecting countries of the European Union. It is a directive ( Directive 92/43/EEC ) valid for all countries of EU and a superiror law in natural protection for all members of the EU. The aim of protection is to ensure diversity and conservation of wild species (flora and fauna) among their natural habitat. Protected areas of Natura 2000 are called Special Areas od Conservation. There are two types of conservation - The Habitats directive and The Birds directive. [1]


  • The Habitats Direcitve (FFH) Directive 92/43/EEC focuses mainly on protection of flora and fauna, epspecially on indangered and endemic species. In addition, there are also few habitats, which are protected because of their rarity. Protection covers mainly native and wild species and their habitat. [2]
  • The Birds Directive For is really important, that Natura 2000 is a network. Espeacially for mirgrating birds it is necessary to ensure, that also places across borders are suitable for protected species. Natural habitat is being rapidly reduced by urban sprawl, agriculture, industry and etc. Consequently, this directive focuses on protecting the natural habitat of indangered and migrating species. [3]

    A.4 References

    • Laigu, Tõnu. Private house in Tallinn, Neeme Street, view of the building, Architect Edgar Kuusik. 1988. Museums Public Portal, Eesti Arhitektuurimuuseum [online]. Available at: https://www.muis.ee/en_GB/museaalview/2632956 [Accessed 02.04.2019].

    Phase B: Landscape Evaluation and Assessment

    B.1 Assessment Strategy

    Landscape Evaluation and Assessment will be mainly based on a strategy studying environment components as well as land use, in order to understand specificities of East Kopli coastal landscape and its potentials.

    Based on the Landscape System Analysis we have developed, three main goals have been chosen as the most important to evaluate on the East Kopli case:

    - The uniqueness of coastal landscape as a natural, biodiversified, wild and accessible ecosystem.

    - The potential of recreational activities and ecosystem services for Kopli inhabitants as well as further visitors.

    - The development threats of the coast as possible conflicts for actual residents and future ones, but also for environments.

    These elements will be mapped at the Kopli peninsula scale so as to show how East Kopli district should be developed as an integrated part of the whole peninsula landscape.

    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

    • THEME 2 - Recreation activities map:

      THEME 2 - Recreation activities map:

    • THEME 2 - Ecosystem services map:

      THEME 2 - Ecosystem services map:

    • 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


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