Letter

List of Estonian Government Institutions in the field of Urban Development

1. Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
Overseeing spatial planning and regional development in Estonia.
2․ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Involved in construction activities and urban mobility planning.
• Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board (Maa- ja Ruumiamet)
Responsible for cartography, cadastre, and spatial development issues.
3․ Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA)
Product safety, market regulation, and technical compliance, including regulatory oversight of construction quality and enforcement of building standards.
4. Ministry of Climate
Focusing on environmental aspects of urban development.
5․ Estonian Digital Construction Cluster (EDCC)
Developing and implementing innovative digital solutions—such as BIM, GIS, and IoT.

Proposals
for the development of cooperation in the areas of architecture and construction
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Estonia

1. The Urban Development Committee plans to develop the Territorial Settlement Plan of Armenia. This document is a comprehensive, long-term, goal-oriented urban planning framework aimed at the spatial organization of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Its main objective is to determine the strategic directions for the country’s overall urban development, ensuring the sustainable development of settlements and the preservation of natural and cultural-historical heritage. In this context, cooperation with Estonia is essential. We are considering involving Estonian companies experienced in developing such strategic documents in the preparation of Armenia's Master Plan. Please provide a list of relevant companies operating in Estonia for potential cooperation discussions.

Estonia has developed a strategic spatial development document called “Estonia 2030+,” which serves as a guideline for the country’s integrated spatial development. It was prepared by the Ministry of the Interior through a broad consultation process that included local authorities, research institutions, and public sector representatives. The document outlines priorities such as the rational use of space, balanced population redistribution, the development of viable small towns, infrastructure integration, and the preservation of ecological balance. “Estonia 2030+” also serves as a basis for harmonizing spatial plans at all levels. It responds to demographic changes, migration trends, spatial manifestations of unemployment, and energy efficiency, aiming to stimulate investment not only in the capital but also in the regions.

2. The Urban Development Committee plans to implement reforms aimed at improving the technical supervision of the construction process in Armenia. The exchange of international best practices with Estonia is of key importance in this process.

In Estonia, the system of technical supervision in construction is defined by the Building Code, which mandates independent professional supervision during construction. This supervision is required for all projects of structural, engineering, safety, or public significance. It is not carried out by a public authority but is the responsibility of licensed professionals in the private sector. The construction client—whether public or private—is required to engage an “owner’s supervisor,” who is responsible for ensuring that construction work fully complies with design specifications, construction norms, and safety standards. Meanwhile, Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) carries out general oversight in cases of regulatory violations or quality deviations in construction. This authority has tools ranging from halting construction to imposing financial penalties.

3. In order to create a digital platform for urban development services and establish a digital urban planning cadastre in Armenia, we emphasize the importance of cooperation with Estonia and the exchange of international best practices.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Climate, Estonia is implementing the national “Digital Construction” initiative, within which the “e-Construction” platform has been introduced. This system integrates all phases of the construction process—permits, design, monitoring, and supervision—into a single digital environment. It is connected to other Estonian state registries, enabling personalized data exchange. This system not only speeds up administrative procedures but also improves decision-making transparency and data-driven governance.
The “Estonian Digital Construction Cluster” brings together engineering companies, software solution providers, and universities. The cluster’s goal is to develop technological solutions that combine BIM (Building Information Modeling), GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and IoT technologies to support the effective implementation of public policies. Collaborative platforms such as “Future City,” “GreenTwins,” and “SmartEnCity” make it possible to aggregate data across sectors—for energy efficiency, public transportation, green zones, and air pollution management.

List of Estonian Government Institutions in the field of Urban Development

1. Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
Overseeing spatial planning and regional development in Estonia.
2․ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Involved in construction activities and urban mobility planning.
• Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board (Maa- ja Ruumiamet)
Responsible for cartography, cadastre, and spatial development issues.
3․ Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA)
Product safety, market regulation, and technical compliance, including regulatory oversight of construction quality and enforcement of building standards.
4. Ministry of Climate
Focusing on environmental aspects of urban development.
5․ Estonian Digital Construction Cluster (EDCC)
Developing and implementing innovative digital solutions—such as BIM, GIS, and IoT.

Proposals
for the development of cooperation in the areas of architecture and construction
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Estonia

1. The Urban Development Committee plans to develop the Territorial Settlement Plan of Armenia. This document is a comprehensive, long-term, goal-oriented urban planning framework aimed at the spatial organization of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Its main objective is to determine the strategic directions for the country’s overall urban development, ensuring the sustainable development of settlements and the preservation of natural and cultural-historical heritage. In this context, cooperation with Estonia is essential. We are considering involving Estonian companies experienced in developing such strategic documents in the preparation of Armenia's Master Plan. Please provide a list of relevant companies operating in Estonia for potential cooperation discussions.

Estonia has developed a strategic spatial development document called “Estonia 2030+,” which serves as a guideline for the country’s integrated spatial development. It was prepared by the Ministry of the Interior through a broad consultation process that included local authorities, research institutions, and public sector representatives. The document outlines priorities such as the rational use of space, balanced population redistribution, the development of viable small towns, infrastructure integration, and the preservation of ecological balance. “Estonia 2030+” also serves as a basis for harmonizing spatial plans at all levels. It responds to demographic changes, migration trends, spatial manifestations of unemployment, and energy efficiency, aiming to stimulate investment not only in the capital but also in the regions.

2. The Urban Development Committee plans to implement reforms aimed at improving the technical supervision of the construction process in Armenia. The exchange of international best practices with Estonia is of key importance in this process.

In Estonia, the system of technical supervision in construction is defined by the Building Code, which mandates independent professional supervision during construction. This supervision is required for all projects of structural, engineering, safety, or public significance. It is not carried out by a public authority but is the responsibility of licensed professionals in the private sector. The construction client—whether public or private—is required to engage an “owner’s supervisor,” who is responsible for ensuring that construction work fully complies with design specifications, construction norms, and safety standards. Meanwhile, Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) carries out general oversight in cases of regulatory violations or quality deviations in construction. This authority has tools ranging from halting construction to imposing financial penalties.

3. In order to create a digital platform for urban development services and establish a digital urban planning cadastre in Armenia, we emphasize the importance of cooperation with Estonia and the exchange of international best practices.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Climate, Estonia is implementing the national “Digital Construction” initiative, within which the “e-Construction” platform has been introduced. This system integrates all phases of the construction process—permits, design, monitoring, and supervision—into a single digital environment. It is connected to other Estonian state registries, enabling personalized data exchange. This system not only speeds up administrative procedures but also improves decision-making transparency and data-driven governance.
The “Estonian Digital Construction Cluster” brings together engineering companies, software solution providers, and universities. The cluster’s goal is to develop technological solutions that combine BIM (Building Information Modeling), GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and IoT technologies to support the effective implementation of public policies. Collaborative platforms such as “Future City,” “GreenTwins,” and “SmartEnCity” make it possible to aggregate data across sectors—for energy efficiency, public transportation, green zones, and air pollution management.