Bekker Port is a cargo port at the western coast of Kopli peninsula in Tallinn. For the urbanization of the area, KTA has proposed a design that blends into the existing urban fabric and enhances the local qualities.
The story of Bekker port is influenced mainly by two features – the shoreline and industrial heritage. The scale of the proposal is rather that of a district. We were able to contemplate upon hybrid multifunctional anchor objects, 15-minute city and how to design a resilient city.
We have used a wide variety of building and street typologies. Urban density has been laid out so that the centre and seaside promenade would provide sufficient flows of people and movement for the ground floor cafes, restaurants and boutiques as well as bigger stores, gyms, spas and movie theatres. While the middle of the district is active and lively, the edges of the area can be reserved for peaceful residential blocks.
Bekker Quarter has an ideal scale for the residents to reach everywhere on foot and bicycle in 15 minutes – comfortably and safely. A car is not obligatory – it is only needed for longer trips or for transporting inventory. All the services are to be situated in the area. A future tramline will connect the district with the rest of the city.
The anchor points in the area are built around the existing industrial heritage. The concrete slipway was formerly used as a boat ramp. It is to be converted into a public facility, a Spa, with a surrounding park. There is another major public building proposed at the waterfront, codenamed Opera. As Estonia is looking for a location for a new opera-house, this could serve the need.