Tallinn City Council’s chief architect has revealed a worrying snapshot of the city’s development – there are no controls over building aesthetics, public transport expansion plans are dependent on European Union funding, and authorities prefer a “self-regulating” traffic system to road expansion. Endrik Mänd said the council had little power to encourage or direct development, but relied on developers to drive the city’s future. He added that there were no plans for the construction or expansion of roads - the city preferring a “self regulating”* system where pressure points are allowed to build as a way of deterring drivers. “There should be problems... Drivers will learn to avoid certain areas. If we widen certain roads we just invite drivers,” he said.
Mänd also revealed why many new buildings are being created with little architectural vision: the city’s building act contains no mention of aesthetics. “We have no legal support to say no to a building because it is ugly,” he said. “It’s just a question of persuasion.”
www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/18891/
*note the inconsistent use of a) correct titles and b) hyphens
2 comments:
Doesn't this happen everywhere? Don't all cities build some "ugly" buildings eventually?
Yes, but virtually every new building being built in Tallinn/Estonia these days is a travesty of design. I mean, look at these two for god's sake.
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