Abstract.md 2.7 KB
Struktureeritud abstrakti versioon vastavalt ajakirja Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences soovitatud ülesehitusele: Struktuur: probleem → vajadus → tööriist → testimine → kasutus
Abstract
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to develop a spatial tool that enables local governments to assess the scale and distribution of accessibility problems related to private roads and to provide planning input for addressing these issues in municipal comprehensive plans.
Approach:
We analyzed how many residential properties in Valga municipality lack unrestricted access—defined as a road owned by the municipality and freely accessible to the public. Based on cadastral, ownership, and address data, we developed a composite methodology and a decision-support tool that helps identify problematic locations and propose spatially grounded alternative access solutions.
Findings:
Our results indicate that not all homes in the area have guaranteed access. The extent and location of the problem varies by region, but in each case, it is possible to identify the issue and offer feasible solutions to ensure access to all residential properties.
Originality:
Until now, local governments in Estonia lacked a systematic method to analyze local road networks and related ownership issues. This study introduces an innovative and generalizable tool that supports spatial decision-making, particularly for land-use planning. It can be applied across rural municipalities in Estonia and adapted to other countries facing similar post-socialist land ownership challenges.
Abstract
This study addresses public sector challenges related to access to residential properties in a post-socialist context, focusing on Estonia. The issues stem from land reforms conducted during the Soviet era and their lasting consequences. Today, local governments frequently face problems caused by insufficient access to properties—an outcome of fragmented land ownership and legal ambiguities.
It is essential that every household has ensured access to their home, yet in many cases, this is hindered by private ownership of roads. Urban planners and municipalities encounter these problems in their spatial planning work but currently lack effective tools for systematic analysis. This article presents a spatial methodology and decision-support tool developed and tested in Valga municipality, Estonia. The tool helps identify problematic areas and proposes viable access solutions based on cadastral, road, and address data. The method is now being applied in local planning practices in Valga to address land ownership conflicts and improve accessibility.