Valuable landscapes have traditionally been appreciated primarily for their historical and cultural significance. Today, ecological values have become increasingly important, encompassing biodiversity and subtopics arising from climate goals. The aim of the study is to reassess the concept and nature of valuable landscapes, as well as the relevance of criteria for their designation, in light of updated knowledge and evolving perspectives.

The analysis considers the following options:

• Continue distinguishing valuable landscapes based on current practice (status quo)
• Strengthen the cultural value component in protecting valuable landscapes
• Broaden the definition of valuable landscapes to include ecological values
• Recognize all landscapes as valuable

Valuable Landscapes According to Planning

Cultural Values

Ecological Values

Marine Landscapes

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The goal of the analysis is to update the methodology for green network planning, integrate a more detailed treatment of blue networks, and analyze the distribution of roles in green network planning.

The study will clarify the purpose of the network, planning and usage principles, role distribution between the state and local governments, and functioning in both rural and urban areas. The aim is to integrate a coherent network with other land use types in both urban areas (e.g. streets, parks) and rural regions (e.g. high nature value farmland, valuable landscapes).

The main focus is to determine what kind of green and blue networks and land use guidance Estonia needs in the context of the climate and biodiversity crisis to best achieve the goals of mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity by 2050.

Green Network Planned in Comprehensive Plans

ELME Generalized Ecosystem Condition Classes

ELME Connectivity

Artificial Environment

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Settlement

The vision solution being developed is based on the concept of around ten economically strong cities.

Entrepreneurship and Industrial Areas

• Industrial areas according to the European Commission’s CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) land cover and use database as of 2018, resolution 100 m
• Industrial areas planned based on studies (Southeast Estonia Industrial Area Study – Cumulus Consulting)
• Potential industrial clusters based on current cadastre status (at least 5 industrial land parcels within 100 m of each other)
• Industrial areas from comprehensive plans

Climate: Change in Average Temperature

Climate is a cross-cutting theme in the national spatial plan, influencing all other sectors. The main focus is on providing thematic guidance for adapting living environments to climate change, considering the best available knowledge on spatial risk factors such as storms, flooding, erosion, and urban heat islands. The spatial impacts of implementing climate policy objectives are also addressed.

Spatial Values and Restrictions

The following are included under restrictions:

• Settlement – 1 km from residential buildings (76% of land area)
• Valuable landscapes (21% of land area)
• Green network (58% of land area)
• Valuable agricultural land (18% of land area)
• Natura 2000 areas (17% of land area)
• National protected areas (16% of land area)

Mobility

The “1-hour public transport Estonia”: areas within a 60-minute drive from county centers. When using the layer buttons, you can also select other types of centers and define time and travel mode.

Inter-Center Public Transport Connections

Select a center from the dropdown menu and view on the map which other centers have direct public transport connections with it and how many departures there are per day.

Port Network and Centers

Existing Solar Parks

Existing Wind Turbines

Rail Baltic

Residential Construction

Valuable Landscapes

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