Estonian population and regional development during the last 30 years—back to the small town?

Abstract

This article reviews the socioeconomic factors that have shaped Estonia's regional population development during the last 30 years. In the 1990s, primary and secondary industries declined and massive urbanization started, depopulating rural and old industrial areas while suburban sprawl developed around the capital Tallinn. Urban growth accelerated in the 2000s, and the 2008 global financial crisis prompted migration from the peripheries. Since 2015, Estonia's population has been growing thanks to returning emigrants and new immigrants. Recent years have witnessed the spread effect and spatial oscillation boosted by COVID‐19 and the Ukrainian war. Additionally, a growing number of people live temporarily in multiple places, including remote rural localities.

Analysis of Landscape Character Assessment and Cultural Ecosystem Services Evaluation Frameworks for Peri-Urban Landscape Planning: A Case Study of Harku Municipality, Estonia

“…The urbanisation process in Estonia, following the collapse of the Soviet Union over 30 years ago, resulted from the subsequent rapid urban growth and transformation in the country. Rural areas became depopulated and former industrial areas have transformed into sprawling suburbs [35]. This trend of urbanisation and the expansion of urban peripheries present significant challenges for sustainable development planning [36,37].…”

Assessment of Cultural Ecosystem Services and Well-Being: Testing a Method for Evaluating Natural Environment and Contact Types in the Harku Municipality, Estonia

“…Agricultural land was the third lowest rated NET, after vacant lots and quarries. More than a third of Estonia's population lives in rural areas, and less than nine per cent are employed in agriculture [46,95,96].…”

“…In the 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Estonia's independence, rapid urbanisation occurred as rural areas became depopulated, and old industrial areas were transformed into sprawling suburbs [46]. Eastern European cities, including Tallinn, experienced the highest level of land consumption in Europe from 2006 to 2012 [47].…”