Envisioning a new city center

Imagine redesigning a city in only two days. That’s exactly what some UB students did recently as part of a summer study abroad program in Estonia.

The 48-hour urban planning challenge was part of a laboratory practicum led by Daniel B. Hess, UB associate professor of urban and regional planning. Hess is currently a visiting Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow in the Centre for Urban and Migration Studies at the University of Tartu, the top university in Estonia. Two students in Tartu’s Department of Geography were joined by visiting students from UB and Alfred State College to develop new schemes for redeveloping Tartu city center.

Focusing on Tartu’s town square and nearby locations, the students began by identifying problems in the built environment, including limited access to the banks of the Emajõgi River, an overburdened Kaarsild pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west sides of the river, incomplete bicycle networks and a lack of greenery in the town square. The students then set about re-conceptualizing the workings of various parts of this section of the city center. 

At the end of the assignment, the students presented their results to Tartu officials.

“The purpose of the exercise is to generate new ideas for Tartu,” Hess says, “while giving students the experience of working at a fast pace and in a dynamic environment.”

The teams were interdisciplinary, featuring bachelor’s and master’s students in architecture, environmental design, geography and urban planning.

“I especially enjoyed working closely in this challenge with the Estonian students,” says UB urban planning student Constance Strother. “It was an unforgettable experience and when we combined our talents, we created projects that I am proud of.”

Adds Taavi Rebane of the University of Tartu: “It was fascinating to learn about how visitors view our city and their suggestions for improving public space.”