On the afternoon of 17 November, participants had the opportunity to attend site visits around Viimsi and Tallinn to discover some of the region's varied initiatives towards climate change adaptation and resilience.
Tour #1 - Viimsi walking tour – Nature-Based Solutions in Action
Participants discovered how Viimsi is pioneering climate adaptation through nature-based and smart engineering solutions. This 2 km guided walk highlighted innovative stormwater systems, from the award-winning LIFE projects on Randvere Road to multifunctional treatment ponds in Viimsi Manor Park. Participants saw how fountains, green infrastructure, and advanced monitoring work together to manage rainwater sustainably. The tour also showcased Estonia’s first carbon-neutral road, paved with locally sourced lignin. Perfect for those interested in practical, scalable solutions to urban flooding and climate resilience, this visit offered a unique blend of technology, ecology, and design integrated into a small but forward-looking municipality.
Viimsi demonstrates how climate adaptation can be achieved through integrated nature-based and smart engineering solutions, as seen in its award-winning stormwater systems along Randvere Road and multifunctional treatment ponds in Viimsi Manor Park. The 2 km guided tour revealed how fountains green infrastructure and real time monitoring collaborate to manage rainwater sustainably while showcasing Estonia’s first carbon neutral road paved with locally sourced lignin.
This practical model of urban resilience offers valuable insights for municipalities seeking scalable approaches to flooding and environmental change.
More information:
https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/demo-sites/viimsi_demo/
https://urbanstorm.viimsivald.ee/pilot-areas/?lang=en
https://centralbaltic.eu/project/mustbe/
https://www.viimsivald.ee/baltcf-watertreatmentpark
https://cleanstormwater.viimsivald.ee/pilot-sites/viimsi-municipality-estonia/
https://www.viimsivald.ee/keskkonnasobraliku-asfaltteekatendi-valjatootamine-ja-katsetamine
Tour #2 - Tallinn & Saue bus tour – Urban Heat and Wooden Innovation
This tour combined climate resilience with cutting-edge architecture. Begun at Pääsküla bog, where large-scale restoration reduces urban heat and safeguards biodiversity—an initiative recently profiled in the EU’s MIP4Adapt case studies. Then travelled to Saue to explore its striking municipal building, an award-winning example of modern wooden construction and sustainable urban design. Recognised as Estonia’s Wooden Building of the Year in 2020, the structure demonstrates how timber architecture can support both climate goals and community identity. This visit was ideal for participants interested in heat management, ecosystem restoration, and how sustainable materials can transform public buildings.
More information:
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/mission/solutions/mission-stories/community-led-nature-based-adaptation-in-tallinn-story69
https://arcwood.ee/en/reference/saue-municipal-government-building/
Tour #3 - Tallinn bus tour – Green Corridors and Stormwater Management
Participants explored how Tallinn is reshaping urban spaces with integrated climate adaptation. Journey along the Pollinator Highway, a new 13.5 km green corridor connecting communities with biodiversity-rich spaces such as the Pelgu Community Garden. The tour also examined stormwater adaptation at Kolde Boulevard, where a major sewer reconstruction protects Tallinn Bay from erosion and pollution. Finished at the Pelgulinna State Gymnasium, a prize-winning wooden school building that embodies sustainable construction. This visit offered a rich look at how urban planning, ecological networks, and water infrastructure can work together to make cities greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient.
More information:
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/urban-environment/european-green-capital-award/inspiration/tallinn-pollinator-highway_en
https://www.tallinn.ee/en/pelguallotmentgarden
https://kik.ee/et/projektid/tallinnas-kolde-pst-sademeveekollektori-rekonstrueerimine
Tour #4 - Tallinn bus tour – Adaptation in Residential Areas and Buildings
This tour highlighted innovative approaches to making homes and neighbourhoods climate-ready. Participants visited Uus-Veerenni, where smart rainwater use enhances resilience in a modern residential area. At Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), explored the prefabricated renovation pilot from the H2020 MoreConnect project, demonstrating how industrial renovation methods improve energy efficiency and withstand extreme weather. The showroom introduced ongoing LIFE IP BuildEST insights into climate adaptation for buildings. The visit also took in SOFTacademy’s demo site, where a neighbourhood-scale renovation is planned under the New European Bauhaus, integrating flood reduction and passive cooling solutions. A must for those interested in future-proof housing.
More information:
https://arhitektuuripreemiad.ee/objekt/uus-veerenni-elamuala-sisehoov/
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/633477
https://kliimaministeerium.ee/en/buildest