Reigo Randmets, CEO and shareholder of Reterra, wrote about the nature of a dense city and faster procedures on the ERR opinion portal. A dense city does not mean that every square metre of the city must be built up to its maximum capacity; it means using empty space for multiple purposes, writes Randmets. “Density does not automatically mean high-rise buildings, but rather multi-purpose and wisely used ’empty space’ – services, green areas, mobility, living and working in the same environment.”
Reterra’s CEO discussed the topic with Madle Lippus back in the spring, and urban space concerns were discussed more broadly at the beginning of October at a debate organised by Reterra between Tallinn’s electoral parties. Market participants are concerned about the lengthy and opaque process, which increases development costs and is directly reflected in housing prices. “In real estate, there is a simple truth that time is money. If it takes years from the initiation of planning to the construction permit, the price of the property increases simply due to waiting,” said Reigo Randmets.
According to developers, the process would be simplified if the initial planning application could be submitted on a single A4 document, based on the general plan. In this case, the initiation decision could be made within 30 days, as stipulated. A faster and more cooperative city would help keep families in Tallinn, reduce suburbanisation, and make housing more affordable and the city more sustainable.
The story was published on 14 October 2025 on the ERR portal.