Life in urban sprawl Hannes Palang Tallinn University, Estonia

Suburbanisation Modest in 1990s, intensive in 2000s on lands having other focus Attracts younger people with higher income Studied mostly from demographic point of view, not landscape

Four key issues how the newcomers adapt to the existing structures (as landscape can never be “built from the scratch”); in what way do the patterns created by the two strategies differ from each other; is it possible to judge whether one of them is closer to the traditional landscape than the other; in what way are the traditions sustained in these new landscapes.

What am I about? What is remembered? – Structures – Knowledge of the past Who is happy? Outsider as a researcher Insider as a local inhabitant

Two strategies for place making One group opts for ready-made solutions, i.e., they buy homes with finalized landscaping. Another group starts shaping the land according to their own ideas, visions and understanding of beauty, sustainability and stewardship.

The outcome – 2 approaches Ready-made environment Vernacular approach

Kangru - a former military area

Motivations Municipality wanted income Developers wanted money New inhabitants wanted nature „former locals“ stood by

Kiili municipality

Outcome Municipality got income, but also problems Developers got their money and left problems to the municipality New inhabitants got their home, but also everyday problems „former locals“ praise the changes

So how does the landscape remember? Structures remind the previous; the current system allows it, the soviet one did not. The people don’t want to remember rapid change and adaptation have been the rule rather than an exception in Estonia

Comparing 1970s and 2000s In 1970s rural people moved to towns and took along their rural practices. In 2000 urban people go contryside and carry urban practises there. Compare with colonial landscapes of New Zealand or Argentina How can you quantify?

Some more conclusions In 1970s, people used their own knowledge and hints by neighbors In 2000s, fashion, leitbilder, examples run the show In 2000s – alien plants; no knowledge of local differences; lawn and flowers instead of vegetables and apple trees In 2000s, boundaries depart from ownership patterns – patchwork planning Globalised visions? Let land not go waste.

Thank you for your attention!