Triin Talk: How to ensure that Tallinn's Old City is not only inhabited by rats?
Triin Talk, a doctoral student at the Estonian Academy of Arts, argues that to bring residents back to Tallinn's Old City, tourism must be curbed and government institutions retained, citing Amsterdam's policies.
Tallinn's Old City is losing its residents and turning into a tourist zone, according to Triin Talk, a doctoral student at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She partially agrees with a previous comment that only rats live in the Old City, but believes the problem is not old buildings or lack of car access.
The Amsterdam Example
Talk compares Tallinn to Amsterdam, where narrow old houses and streets still support a vibrant life. She explains that Amsterdam's city policy has long curbed excessive tourism. For instance, new tourist shops, hotels, and attractions are banned; some hotels are even closed to make room for housing and offices. Short-term rentals are regulated and taxed, and Airbnb units must meet the same requirements as hotels. Additionally, apartment buyers must live in their property for at least four years without renting it out. Tourist group flows are managed, and bars and clubs in certain areas must close early to ensure residents' nighttime peace.
Action Plan for Tallinn
To revive Tallinn's Old City as a true urban center, Talk proposes three steps. First, retain city and state institutions—schools, ministries, cultural venues—in the Old City. They attract locals year-round, who also become potential customers for cafes and other businesses. Second, when leasing city spaces, set criteria that favor institutions and businesses serving local needs, not large international corporations. Third, limit the spread of short-term rentals so that residential buildings function as homes again, not hotels. These ideas are compiled in the book "Old City: Heritage, Urban Environment, Tourism."
