KEILA LINNAKONTSEPTSIOONI KUTSUTUD IDEEVÕISTLUS

2ndplace–“Metsakandi Quarter”–SustainableMobility and Green Connections

The vision for Metsakandi Quarter in Keila is centered around sustainable mobility, vibrant publicspaces, and a strong connection with nature. The planning transforms Haapsalu Road, previously a car-dominated corridor, intoa safe, pedestrian-friendly street. By reducing traffic speeds and clearlymarking crossings, integrating spacious walkways, dedicated cycle paths, and green buffers, the areabecomes welcoming and accessible to allusers,especially pedestrians, cyclists, children, and the elderly.

At the heart of the project is the Green Alley, a multifunctional ecological and social spine that runsseamlessly through the entire neighborhood. Designed as a lush pedestrian route, the Green Alleyconnects various public spaces, including parks, playgrounds, fitness areas, a skatepark, dog park, picnicspots, and community gathering places. Enhanced with native plants, rain gardens, natural pavingmaterials, resting points, and subtle lighting, it fosters biodiversity, ecological resilience, and socialinteraction, becoming both a practical transport route and an inviting recreational destination.

Landscape architecture solutions play a key role in the project, focusing on sustainable watermanagement and local biodiversity.Rainwater is thoughtfully integrated into the landscape throughpermeable surfaces, rain gardens, bioswales, and vegetated roofs, turning stormwater into an attractivevisual feature. The selection of native trees and plants, such as lindens, maples, oaks,cherries, andbirches, creates a rich habitat supporting local flora and fauna while providing residents with year-roundaesthetic and ecological value.