Reconstruction of Vana-Kalamaja Street

The street starts at the border of the Old Town, runs through the entire Kalamaja and ends at the edge of the prehistoric seashore. The street space is redistributed in a balanced way between different users, so that the space is clear and continuous for all modes of movement. The entire street is on the same level, divided between users by paving, landscaping (raingarden) and street furniture. The street renovation includes two city squares. It highlights the history of Kalamaja and its diverse urban space and helps bring locals together.

The Old Town end of the 1.1-kilometer-long street is car-free during the day-time. Rest of the street, cars and bicycles share a common direction/lane with a speed limit of 20 km/h. This way, all different modes of traffic can be accommodated on a street cross-section that is only 10...14 m wide. Where the street is wider, it was possible to create pockets for activities or to highlight the special features of the adjacent plots with small squares. Two bigger city squares were created - Balti Jaama Square is multimodal transport hub, therefore various waiting and meeting places were needed here. Kotzebue Square is community orientated and designed to be attractive for different generations.

Positive shift in modes of transport (offering other options) reduces car use. A safe route to school creates good new habits among the youngest, now they can walk or bike to the school. Universal design allows everyone to spend time outdoors. Reintroduction of local plant diversity and use of simple plant communities includes i.e. bioswales (rain gardens). The planting boxes along the street are used by the community - the local museum grows simple garden plants popular 100 years ago, the local kinergarten has an herb garden etc. Together with the local museum old manhole covers, a telephone booth and some other items are displayed and explained. Locally produced concrete and brick pavers have been used alongside more decorative (imported) natural stones. Reclaimed cobbelstones are used in the middle and on the edges of the street.