Rakvere Vallimägi Open Air Centre
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Spectacular Vallimäe open-air center is undeniably a powerful and powerful concerts and events venue, unique with its good location, accessibility and novelty. Located on nearly seven hectares between the slopes of upland, the centre has been integrated into historical nearby surroundings of medieval castle ruins and old down. Notably unique is the whole sophisticated greenery re-development of the area.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
Operational Programme for Cohesion Policy Funding 2014-2020
Project nr 2014-2020.5.04.18-0286
Description of the project
Summary
Overall objective of the project is to improve the accessibility and tourist friendliness of one of the main tourism magnets of the city of Rakvere – Vallimäe, by reconstruction of former Song Festival Grounds and re-development of the whole 7 hectars area.
Direct objectives of the project
1) High-quality service for tourists and participants in events taking place in Vallimäe on the basis of the car parks serving the Vallimäe area (nearly 50 new parking spaces);
2) Ensuring attractive and safe mobility opportunities for pedestrians through the construction of connecting roads. Ensuring that connecting roads comply with the safety requirements applicable to mass events;
3) Created conditions for organizing large events with up to 3000-4000 participants on the song field in the southern part of Vallimäe;
4) Designed recreation areas (viewing platforms), with excellent views of the city center and the Order Castle.
Activities
I Construction of transport infrastructure serving visitors, including new parking lot, the passage of the audience from the Vallikraavi car park to the song square, the connecting road from the Order Castle to the singing field, construction of stair lighting.
II Construction of places for recreation and public events, including development of places of rest, reconstruction of former Song Festival Grounds and construction of public places on the slopes.
III Development of the natural environment of Vallimäe tourism area, including landscaping and greenery works.
Key objectives for sustainability
The landscaping solution is based on the following principles:
1. To value the views, the existing natural situation and the existing elements;
A. A strong dominance and consideration of the observability of the landmark - Rakvere Vallimäe fortress. The principles of the main project were to emphasize the specificity of the region so as to create a ‘place’, which takes advantage of and highlights the geographical, urban, historical values and creates new unique values that stand out in the context of Rakvere;
B. Articulate the openness of the landscape and design new trees and shrubs with perennials planting areas in visually and functionally important locations. In contrast to the use of high - quality materials that value urban space, and dominant fortress, the landscaping to be built is a neutral background - close to nature and based on existing growing conditions
2. The choice of the types of landscaping to be designed shall take into account the local impact biodiversity, especially for birds and insects;
Landscaping of impregnation areas, mowing areas (which are provided by plants from the food side) have been designed many groups of animals attracted by nectar, seeds, other parts of plants or arrived) and consist of shrubs and perennials of different heights planting areas.
3. Gabions were designed based on the principles of sustainable design, used partially remove the excavated soil and local limestone during the construction works.
4. Landscaping has taken into account the need for further low maintenance.
Plant species that do not require close maintenance have been used, together with lawns consisting of shrubs and perennials. In addition, the objectives arising from the current detailed plan, were to maintain the clarity and greenery of the Vallimäe relief landscape; to prevent the overgrowth of hillsides with landscaping that closes the views and to prevent slope erosion with reinforced lawns and bushes.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The dominant architectural image of Rakvere Vallimäe is and will remain the castle of the Order ruins, which at the northern tip of Vallimäe are complemented by the symbol of Rakvere (Tarvanpää), developed by sculptor Tauno Kangro. According to heritage protection basic principles, the construction of a utilitarian bridge must not compete with those influential artistic-architectural figures. Therefore, the construction of the bridge is minimalist ultra - low steel girder, where the load - bearing element is partially hidden inside the gangway and can be used as a bench machine.
So that walkers can rest their feet while enjoying the beautiful view, benches are provided on the bridge girder. Bridge load-bearing structures and handrails should not interfere with the view around and the walkway of the bridge should be transparent rib construction so that traffic from under the bridge can also be seen.
Due to the growing popularity of summer outdoor events, lack of seats in festivity space is a problem. To this end, stationary ones will be built on the song field grandstands for the crowds of modern major events. Grandstands can accommodate about 4200 people, in addition, it is possible to accommodate portable ones exceptionally benches above about 1500 on the open-air field (with a canopy) between the grandstands.
The design of the grandstands has taken into account the existing relief as little as possible and a stage building and canopy with the best view for the spectators towards the open-air field. Due to the steep slope of the area, the volume on the entrance side of the building is visually perceptible as a floor.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project has been part of Rakvere municipal development objectives for several years. The direction was initially prioritized by the municipal council and accordingly included in the local development vision. The plan of creating an open-air center was publicly consulted, together with frequent media coverage.
To give the idea a wider basis, also regional – Laane-Viru County - level has been consulted. Accordingly, the regional local authorities association has approved the project as a priority for the development of the whole region. This kind of wide local and regional support has been acknowledged in the process of approval of the project for EU financing.
Results in relation to category
Greenery and landscaping.
The same principles as for others are followed when building lawns in grassland areas for grass types. The thickness of the grass base should be considered to be 57-59 cm, depending on the type of lawn selected (h: 4-6 cm).
Establishment of growing media. A geotextile is installed between the drainage layer of the geocell and the existing subsoil. A lower growth layer containing 30-40% by volume is applied to the drainage layer organic and 60-70% mineral material, which is thicker compared to the upper with the growth layer of the growing layer. Compacted is applied on top of the lower growth layer installation layer using either coarse sand or fine gravel (8-16 mm). The installation layer is also mixed with long-term fertilizer. It is then installed grasshopper filled with a second layer of topsoil containing 30-35% finer mineral material (8-10 mm) and 65-70% organic matter. To this long-term fertilizer and grass seed are also added to the growth layer before installation. After filling the lawn, the soil is compacted until the growing soil fills the lawn.
Specific attention has been paid to noise absorption, as the center is rather close to residential areas. This was achieved through protective landscaping on the contours of residential plots.
How Citizens benefit
The center is dedicated to attracting many additional cultural events, therefore serving for creating additional jobs to the tourism sector – accommodation and catering – as well as accompanying service industries. For the visitors of Rakvere (estimated at 58,000 in 2005), the quality of services offered when visiting Vallimäe would increase - by creating parking spaces at the foot of Vallimäe (Vallikraavi Street) and reconstructing the Song Festival Grounds, preconditions would be created for organizing major events in Rakvere.
Additional parking lots (149) would also contribute to the growth of the visitor-friendliness of the Order Castle, which belongs to the Virumaa Museums Foundation - thus creating opportunities for tourists to have better access to the Order Castle. In the current situation, the parking lots on Vallikraavi Street are insufficient for organizing large-scale events in Vallimäe and also for servicing the Order Castle during the summer - visitors have to park their cars either in the city center or in the parking lot of the neighboring Rakvere Theater.
Innovative character
In Estonia, it is rather unique and therefore innovative, that local government Rakvere City Government takes direct responsibility in assisting and coordinating the tourism sector in its boundaries. The City as an applicant for this project assistance is improving the city's central tourism magnet - Rakvere Vallimägi, to add to its historical image also green destination tourism attractions.
The project is innovative due to two factors:
- parallel development of greenery and infrastructure. More than 80 different species of selected plants have been planted in the course landscaping.
- location of comparatively huge open-air event center to the city, that is possible due to supporting landscape.
As of now, Vallimägi has already become a symbol of the city and a magnet for visitors, forming the Rakvere Vallimäe tourist complex together with the Order Castle, but it can be said that the area requires additional work for visitor-friendliness (parking spaces - 149 places to serve the ) and in terms of informing visitors (information links to Vallimäe).
Through landscaping works, the view of Vallimäe from the downtown area would be better opened. The above work would be carried out in the course of this project. Rakvere City Government would be the owner and manager of the assets created during the project after the implementation of the project.
