Last summer, Tallinn launched a public architectural competition seeking a concept for Koidu Street as both a residential street and the main thoroughfare of the Uue-Maailma district. The winning entry, titled "Kohalik (Local)," was designed by the architects Tristan Krevald, Ra Martin Puhkan, Siim Tanel Tõnisson, and Madis Eek of OÜ Stuudio Täna.

Deputy Mayor Vladimir Svet highlighted the jury's appreciation for the entry's community-sensitive approach. "The winning proposal understands and continues the ambiance and established identity of the Uue Maailma district and Koidu Street, allowing local residents to further develop it. It's crucial that the proposal is spatially coherent, creates new spatial qualities, yet remains sensitive to the locals' preferences. Feedback from the inclusion process confirmed that the proposal was widely supported by local residents," explained Svet about the jury's decision.

A notable feature of the proposal is the introduction of "doormats" to the streetscape, offering residents the opportunity to use and organize the space in front of their homes in a way that suits them. By envisioning Koidu Street as an event space and the district's main street, the proposal introduces various charming plazas and squares, creating a broad spectrum of public space uses for everyday life and event hosting. The street is transformed into a socially sustainable, cozy, functional, and greener space.

Traffic solutions, parking space allocation, and school front traffic management will be clarified in further work. The city will next commission a local mobility study. The jury unanimously agreed that parking spaces must remain on Koidu Street even with the new design, and a smaller number of street parking spaces does not necessarily equate to better urban space solutions – a good design should integrate parking spaces into the spatial solution.

The second place was awarded to the entry "Leoniidid (Leonids)" by architect Villem Tomiste from Stuudio Tallinn. Third place went to "Vaib (Vibe)," designed by Kristian Nigul, Kadi Nigul, Kadri Uusen, and Katariina Lepiku of the landscape architecture firm OÜ Väli.

Encouragement prizes for bold and imaginative ideas were awarded to "Ameerika tänav (American Street)" by architecture bureau Molumba, with authors Harri Kaplan, Johan Tali, Karli Luik, Liina-Kai Raivet, Miia Laur, and Tõnis Savi, and "Koidukant," created by Eneli Kleemann, Katariina Mustasaar, Lill Volmer, Mia Martina Peil, Marie Anette Veesaar, Saskia Epp Lõhmus, Anna Riin Velner, and Ülo Peil in a co-creation between Arhitektuuribüroo Peil OÜ and Stuudio Kollektiiv.

The competition was organized in collaboration between the City of Tallinn, the Union of Estonian Architects, and the Estonian Landscape Architects' Union, receiving a total of 15 entries. The prize fund amounts to €43,000, with a first-place prize of €15,000.

The next step will see the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department conducting a procurement for the street's design. A contract will be signed with the winners for the design of the street's architectural aspect.

The entries for the Koidu Street architectural competition and updates on the reconstruction process can be followed on the website tallinn.ee/koidu.