CONTOUR. Consolidate Ownership Negotiation Tool for Urban Restriction. The Case of Põhjaväil

Abstract

This paper introduces CONTOUR, a proposed tool for urban management developed in the context of the Street 2020 competition. Using the planned Põhjaväil highway project in Tallinn as a case study, the paper critiques existing planning systems and real-estate processes while outlining a new, actor-oriented approach to reconcile public and private interests. CONTOUR facilitates negotiation by managing built volume and land rents to preserve key site values and create development opportunities. The tool aims to transform the threat of inner-city highways into opportunities for attractive, mixed-use urban areas, while ensuring that public projects—such as public space, transport, art, and events—receive sustainable benefits from added value.