National Spatial Plan Estonia 2030+

The National Spatial Plan Estonia 2030+ is a national sectoral plan of Estonia. Its vision is as follows: Estonia is a nation with a cohesive spatial structure, a diverse living environment and good links to the external world. Low-density urbanised space integrates compact cities, suburbs and traditional villages, valuing all of these lifestyles equally. The human scale and economic competitiveness of low-density urbanised space are provided primarily by an environment that is close to nature and a network of urban communities that are well linked. More specifically, the Plan provides for shaping living and economic environments that are supported by the existing settlement structure and provide options; ensuring the availability of jobs, educational institutions and various services by means of linkage within and between daily activity spaces; the availability of services, educational institutions and jobs is provided by the linkage within and between daily activity spaces by means of sustainable transport modes; enhancing the availability of energy infrastructure; and cohesiveness of the green network and the preservation of valuable landscape features. The Plan further states that the green infrastructure strategy aims to preserve or re-create a system of functioning green areas and facilities that are cohesive and sufficiently compact at various geographical levels, enable species to migrate and adapt to climate change, enrich the living environment of people, and support ecosystem services and benefits. Although the definition of green infrastructure is likely to be clarified shortly, under the definition of the relevant expert committee of the European Commission it is a strategically functioning network consisting of nature and green areas, landscape elements, ecosystems and green facilities. Green infrastructure encompasses forests, natural grasslands, semi-natural biotic communities, wetlands, rivers, coastal areas, parks, eco-ducts, manmade wetlands and so on. The structural elements of green infrastructure are core areas, corridors, buffer areas and green facilities at various geographical levels, which are predominantly defined as a green network in Estonia already now. Green infrastructure supports the functioning of ecosystems, preserving and creating conditions that provide such ecosystem services as clean water, air, productive ground, biodiversity, attractive leisure areas and so on. As a result, it indirectly supports the economy and communities and provides a vital contribution to the natural mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The preservation, conservation and sustainable utilisation of valuable landscapes partly contribute to the objectives of the functioning of the green network, for they include, amongst other things, natural value, semi-natural biotic communities and the like. Measures to preserve and utilise valuable landscapes (including traditional agricultural landscapes) referred to in the counties’ thematic plans need to be considered when new plans are prepared.