Renovating a historical wooden building at Kesk str 19 in Valga

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The project helps to save one of the town’s most valuable buildings located at Kesk srt 19 from depreciation. As the building has never before been assessed regarding its technical condition, there was no overview of its state. The results of the research conducted in 2020 were surprising - a real treasure was hidden behind a degrading Soviet facade, possibly the oldest wooden building in Valga. The building is a typical Baltic German citizen’s dwelling from the 18th century, of which not many have survived in South Estonia. The building’s value is not so much its architectural details but more in the fact that it is Valga’s only so old authentic citizen’s dwelling that later housed colonial shops. The building is characteristic of Valga’s historical centre’s wooden building type and is part of the buildings ensemble that surround Jaani Church and shape the atmosphere and the historical environment. In the urban structure, it is an important object, worth being maintained and protected.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">For the citizens of Valga, this area has been associated with negative emotions for a while and this barrier of thought is hard to break. Untidy buildings are depressing and have an impact on the citizens’ association with the place of residence. On the other hand, an attractive environment increases people’s willingness to tie their future to the place and contribute to its development. The project takes one step towards making the people of Valga proud of their hometown. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Renovating the buildings in the immediate vicinity of the square attracts interest in private capital to invest - to establish cafés or shops. As there are not many investments in Valga that are based on private capital, the public sector must lead the way and show initiative by renovating buildings owned by the rural municipality and showing that life in the centre is possible and worth the effort.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

There were 3 online cooperation seminars with the municipality of Fredikstad, discussing the common problems and possible solutions / best practices carried out in Norway (Fredikstad). Also, a study trip to Fredrikstad took place in Sept 2022, where 4 specialists, incl. Valga city architect, familiarised themselves with Fredrikstad municipality operations regarding heritage protection and enlivening the local community / living environment via heritage promotion.

Project partners

• Fredrikstad municipality Donor project partner· Norway