New city centre in Elva

New city centre

in elva

by Kertu Vuks | kertu.vuks@elva.ee

Photo: Ragnar Vutt

City of Elva is the heart of Elva Municipality in Estonia. This is a small (ca 5,500 inhabitants) green city and has always been a visitors’ favourite place in the summer.

Its two beautiful large lakes, that are located in the city centre, are loved by many tourists. It also has some quite remarkable and well preserved architectural masterpieces from the 20 th century.

A new central square

In recent years the heart of Elva has undergone a makeover - we now have a brand new central square together with the renewal of our main street - Kesk street. This was possible because of EV100 architectural program „Good Public Spaces“. Its aim was to re-launch the centres and main squares of small cities in Estonia to honor the 100 th birthday of the Republic of Estonia. Together with Elva, city squares of Tõrva, Põlva, Valga, Võru, Rapla and Kuressaare were also completed. Five south Estonian squares (Elva, Tõrva, Võru, Valga and Põlva) will represent Estonia in Venice Architecture Biennale 2020.

Elva new central square and Kesk street were completed in December 2019. Project was funded by Elva Municipality and Enterprise Estonia – total cost was approximately 3,2 million EUR. Architects of the project are Ü. Maiste, D. Taalfeld, A. Saarniit, R. Helbre, T. Kuningas (AT HOME architecture bureau). The name of the renewal project is “Between the Currant Bushes“ and it conveys to residents and visitors with the nature of Elva as a summer and garden city. The result of „Good Public Spaces“ project are the open spaces that are used by Elva residents and also by tourists.

Boost to the development

We have managed to increase the sense of unity in local community and made living environment more attractive. This new and well organized public space is also a new place for cultural events and spending free time - we have many attractions and a huge pedestrian area to boost walking and cycling as a way of movement in the area. The centre of the city is now used by so many people. Also some new entrepreneurs have started their businesses on Kesk street - for example Elva Bowling and Restaurant. In the next years new apartment house will be built as a result of architectural competition.

The living environment in the heart of Elva has changed a lot – now it is more usable for different age and interest groups due to leisure facilities and better organized public places.