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Estonian Settlement Aims to Be First to Fully Renovate All Apartment Buildings

Estonian Settlement Aims to Be First to Fully Renovate All Apartment Buildings

From Postimees · () Estonian

Translated from Estonian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Linnamäe, a small settlement in Estonia, is on track to become the first to renovate all its apartment buildings.
  • Resident Liina Kaljuveer initiated the renovation efforts, facing initial resistance from neighbors.
  • Kaljuveer emphasizes that overcoming residents' fear and readiness for change is the biggest challenge in such projects.

Linnamäe, Estonia – In a remarkable display of community initiative, the small settlement of Linnamäe is poised to become the first in Estonia where all apartment buildings have undergone renovation. This ambitious project, spearheaded by resident Liina Kaljuveer, aims to revitalize the area and improve living conditions for its inhabitants.

Kaljuveer recalled her first attempt to initiate renovations in her own apartment building back in 2017. At that time, she found that the residents were not yet ready for such a significant undertaking. She identifies the primary obstacle in such endeavors as overcoming the residents' hesitation and their readiness to commit to the process.

"Example gives courage, because people are afraid of the unknown undertaking," Kaljuveer explained. "Since it also affects the wallet, the tendency is to fear rather than trust."

Her persistence and successful efforts in her own building have since inspired others. The project in Linnamäe highlights the importance of leadership and community engagement in driving large-scale renovations. As more buildings are completed, the visible improvements are expected to encourage the remaining residents to participate, solidifying Linnamäe's status as a model for successful apartment building revitalization.

Example gives courage, because people are afraid of the unknown undertaking. Since it also affects the wallet, the tendency is to fear rather than trust.

— Liina KaljuveerExplaining the challenges and psychological barriers residents face when considering major building renovations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Postimees in Estonian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.