The Estonian Smart Cities Club met for the 8th time in Paide

In addition to the organizers, the Institute of Baltic Studies (IBS) and Tartu Regional Energy Agency (TREA), several local municipalities participated: Paide, Haapsalu, Viljandi, Võru, Elva, Pärnu and Tartu. A renovation and sustainability expert from TalTech university took part as well.  

The first topic of the meeting was lessons from the SmartEnCity project. As TREA experts have been monitoring the 18 renovated apartment buildings since before the renovation, the first data on achieved energy savings has become available. Together, the municipalities discussed the effect of smart integrated renovations on energy consumption and energy efficiency, and reflected on the lessons learnt in Tartu in the renovation project. 

The second topic of the day was presented by IBS and focused on cooperation within the Club after the end of SmartEnCity project. All participants were interested and motivated to continue meeting regularly and working together. As a result, it was already mutually agreed that the next meeting will take place in Võru in the autumn. IBS also gave a short recap of the integrated energy planning methodologies used in SmartEnCity and invited all participants to join the consortium in Vitoria-Gasteiz in June for the final conference.

The second half of the day was dedicated to Paide city, and their successes and current challenges. The participants were introduced to the city’s plans of reconstructing their town square and other urban projects in the city. After the presentation, there was a discussion during which the participants shared their experience and advice on how to increase engagement and secure funding for these planned developments.

The day ended with a joint visit to the newly reconstructed Paide Secondary School which boasts a highly modern, smart and innovative learning environment for students.

Read the Estonian summary of the event here: https://tarktartu.ee/tarkade-linnade-klubi-kohtus-paides/

Members of the Estonian Smart Cities Club. Picture@IBS