a collaborative project by
Adeolu Afolabi | Yiğithan Akçay | Verdha Anjum | Paula Fischer | Timmo Mahlke
past - present - future: Paljassaare has layers of everything. Our journey offers a unique perspective on Paljassaare’s transformation, where history, reuse, and cozy potential collide.
We created an audio-walk that follows this imaginary timeline. It leads us along the abandoned train tracks representing the military past, past the diversely used workshops reflecting its evolving present and to the treasure area of empty land by the sea which we re-acquired for the afternoon.
PAST
The military history of Paljassare dates back to before its existence, to be exact. Where Plajassaare is now there used to be the two islands Väike and Suur Karli, that were connected to the mainland when the the islands where merged and the sea was filled in during the construction of the mine harbour. In 1913, the construction of the naval fortress railways network was started. The train tracks between Katariina Quay and Suur-Paljassaare were built in 1921.
Information on military activities is scarce, since it remained a closed military zone for almost 50 years. The military past can be seen as important for the present-day ecology and nature values since it was it was actually managed as a nature reserve area during this entire period, but also leaving many areas that have been repurposed.
PRESENT
The workshop area is a space brimming with creativity and material inspiration. It is a multi-level canvas of hidden objects, materialities and uses. It is a place that has potential for real estate, but for now it exists in this interim state of improvisations and heritage.
“The ‘waste’ in wastelands contains a dual meaning: an evaluation of the physical condition of a particular site coupled with the economic value it generates. The economically un(der)productive and informal uses of these spaces, often an expression of commoning, are often downplayed or ignored completely.”
(Rosa 2016: 203)
FUTURE
We found our little unused, maybe wasted, but also treasured spot by the sea. It might be empty, but it can also be seen as an “accidental park” (Rosa 2016: 195). As a place to be used by those who need it. A place to come together.
We re-acquired if for an afternoon, created our own palimpsest, built a bonfire and reflected upon the many layers we had been witness to during the day.
References:
Brian Rosa, Waste and value in urban transformation: Reflections on a post-industrial ‘wasteland’ in Manchester, In: “Global Garbage: Urban Imaginaries of Waste, Excess, and Abandonment”, Routledge, Mariam Meissner and Christoph Lindner (ed.), (2016).
Wessel van Vliet, A study to the history, comtemporary role and future development of 20th century military heritage at the waterfront of Tallinn, Estonia, University of Groningen (2016).