Ropka, Tartu

The design project of the Tartu harbor railway was based primarily on the character of the area as a harbor railway. The use of the area revealed from the analysis as a transit station in the past clearly shows that it is necessary to give the project site a new life and add functions, but at the same time preserve the history of the former railway section and carry out the transformation of the road section very delicately.

The trail should offer both active and passive recreation opportunities. The important green area added to the city could also have a representative dimension to some extent, and it could certainly function as a favorite place for all the citizens to rest in the green. The place tries to meet all the conditions and be pleasant for everyone.

The concept of the area is mainly based on these keywords: natural, free, attractive and quiet. Foreign examples of designing such tracks were used as inspiration. During the design of the project area, it has not been tried to solve everything, but rather to direct people to creative behavior. The trail has elements that allow you to spend both an active and a peaceful vacation. Spontaneous functions, events (meeting places are allowed), natural communities are also favored.

The projected area will be reshaped by preserving the existing and preserved harbor railway elements as much as possible (rails, road corridor), and by emphasizing the historical background of the place, leaving the railway tracks in some places, and the canopy of the monument erected on the projected square imitates the railway. At the same time, a road corridor has been left, which gives the feeling of movement on a railway. The proposed solutions have been developed to increase the quality of life in the surrounding area and offer a new approach and experience when visiting the road.

The name of the Tartu harbor railway design project turned out to be the Tartu health track, because the place offers plenty of opportunities for sports and walking. The health trail is divided into several road sections - a running trail, a bicycle trail, and a light traffic trail. The rest of the area around the road is mostly covered with other greenery with plants adapted there. Sitting areas with views have been added as an eye opener for the citizens of the city. In the project area, trees and bushes have also been preserved to the maximum extent. The sense of security is conveyed by lighting on the health trail, which is sometimes built into the ground. In most cases, the lighting is meter high, which ensures coziness and comfort.