Linnakeskus
Linnakeskus is the central part of a city, typically including the historic core, administrative institutions, the main commercial functions, and the principal public spaces. It serves as the administrative, economic, and cultural heart of the urban area, with a higher concentration of services and transport links than outer districts.
The term derives from Estonian linn (“city”) and keskus (“center”). In urban planning and municipal discourse,
Characteristics commonly found in linnakeskus include dense, mixed-use development; pedestrian- and transit-oriented streets; a central square
Planning approaches aim to preserve historic fabric while accommodating contemporary needs, balancing conservation with new construction,
In Estonia, linnakeskus is often associated with Tallinn’s Vanalinn (Old Town) and the central districts of
Challenges include tourism pressure, housing affordability within the core, and maintaining infrastructure in aging urban fabric;
See also central business district, historic center, urban core, city planning.