In my first blog post, I will reveal a little about the activities of the Land and Spatial Development Board, our way of thinking, and our vision for the future.
As a new institution, we are still at the beginning of our journey, but our goal is clear – to create a better living environment in both urban and rural areas. We are working to ensure that Estonia's space is carefully maintained and intelligently developed.
The Land and Spatial Development Board was created to bring together the state's spatial data, mapping, construction, geoinformation systems, spatial planning, and land knowledge and services into a single entity. This means that from now on, these areas will move in unison – more intelligently, more efficiently, and in a more customer-focused manner.
More transparency, data-driven approaches, and cooperation in spatial planning
Estonia needs modern and flexible spatial management that takes into account the environment, the needs of communities, and technological possibilities. A nationwide view of spatial data helps to make better decisions, whether it is planning a new residential area, resolving crises, or implementing a green transition.
In Estonia, the field of planning has been fragmented for years: data is stored in different systems, procedures are time-consuming, and the capabilities and tools of local governments are very uneven. This has created a situation where spatial decisions are often made with insufficient data, are visually difficult to understand, or lack a coherent perspective. This, in turn, affects our living environment, infrastructure development, and even people's trust in public decisions.
Spatial thinking is a natural part of decision-making and serves the interests of Estonian people
The Land and Spatial Development Board's goal is to bring more transparency, data-driven approaches, and collaboration to spatial planning. We support local governments and planners with better tools, training, and unified digital platforms. We create solutions that make planning processes easier to visualize and understand for ordinary citizens, not just specialists. We also combine spatial data with views from construction and other fields to create an integrated understanding of spatial impact and the future.
The work of the Land and Spatial Development Board is not to make decisions on behalf of local governments, but to provide strong support so that local governments can make good decisions themselves. The Land and Spatial Development Board brings together knowledge, data, and technologies so that Estonia has one strong partner in terms of spatial information and best practices – be it the state, a local government, a business, or a citizen.
What does the Land and Spatial Development Board do?
📍 Maps and spatial data. We are responsible for national base maps (including Geoportal and X-GIS), spatial and address data management and development – we create accurate and reliable data that all Estonian residents, institutions, and companies can rely on.
🏗️ Construction and planning support. We support the digitization of the construction sector, the coherence of planning, and faster, more transparent procedures.
🌍 Spatial networks and digital platforms. We are developing a unified spatial data network for Estonia and working to make information easy to find and use.
🌱 State land management and spatial planning. We manage state-owned land and support its efficient, well-thought-out, and public-interest use.
💧 Operation of land improvement systems. We ensure that land improvement systems – drainage ditches, culverts, and other infrastructure – function sustainably and support both food security and the natural environment.
🚀 An innovative view of space. We look to the future – we are developing digital twin capabilities, the GEO 3D platform, and new spatial planning tools.
Our priorities in the early years:
- People-centered and user-friendly. We create services that are easy to use and truly meet people's needs. We are transitioning to service-based management and placing the customer at the center of our development activities.
- Cooperation. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to have a say – let's do it together!
- Valuing data. We believe that transparent and accessible data creates value at every level – from citizens to government.
- Innovation. We are strengthening the digital state by taking advantage of new opportunities in the fields of geoinformation systems, artificial intelligence, and big data.
Decisions based on factual and spatial knowledge
Our desire is to make life in Estonia more transparent, sustainable, and cohesive. Whether it is knowledge about flood risks, how to create high-quality urban space, or the most suitable locations for new wind farms, our job is to ensure that decisions are made based on factual and spatial knowledge.
The Land and Spatial Development Board's goal is to create the conditions for transparent, fast, and participatory planning. With our support, local governments will have a better toolbox, specialists will have more support, and communities will have a clearer voice in spatial decisions.
Plans will become more predictable, better justified, and easier to understand. This means fewer disputes, more cooperation, and a better-planned environment – in cities, towns, and rural areas alike.
State-owned land that is wisely managed and serves the public interest
We will also bring clarity and systematicity to the use of state-owned land. While many state-owned lands have been largely invisible and unplanned until now, our task is to ensure that these lands are wisely managed, actively administered, and serve the public interest – whether in nature conservation, agriculture, residential development, or infrastructure planning. Smart land management helps prevent waste, avoid conflicts, and support balanced regional development.
Land and Spatial Development Board is therefore a true center of excellence for land and spatial planning, and our goal is to make spatial thinking a natural part of decision-making and to ensure that these decisions serve the interests of the Estonian people.
I invite you to think along and join the conversation on our blog!
Warm regards,
Kati Tamtik
Director General
Loomise kuupäev: 14.11.2025
