Terik spoke at the Mayors’ Forum in Geneva about the challenges facing Tallinn.
This week, the urban resilience week is taking place in Geneva, including the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Mayors’ Forum. The forum focuses on several important topics, including inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable urban development. Tallinn is represented at the forum by Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik.
Terik highlighted the need to find a balance between human activity and the natural environment in a panel discussion on regional challenges. He emphasized the importance of planning new high-quality green areas that promote sustainable and healthy urban environments. “One of Tallinn’s most ambitious urban planning initiatives to increase resilience involves the development of citywide waterfront promenades, linear parks, and green networks. These have hidden potential for both nature and people, helping to create a citywide blue-green network. Several cities were interested in how Tallinn is transforming former industrial railroads and areas under high-voltage power lines into green corridors, allowing movement for both people, insects, and smaller urban animals from one green area to another,” said the Deputy Mayor.
Terik also highlighted other challenges facing Tallinn, such as land ownership issues and rapid population growth, which is putting pressure on urban nature. He emphasized the importance of adapting to climate change and mentioned that increasing and preserving green areas in the city is one of the important measures in addressing these risks.
The UNECE Mayors’ Forum serves as a platform where city leaders can share knowledge and experiences and showcase best practices in sustainability. This year’s forum theme is revitalizing cities by 2030.
