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Balancing History And High Tech

Posted by: Nate Berg

30 August 2007 - 8:00am

Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, has been widely celebrated in recent years as one of the most historic and, at the same time, most thoroughly high-tech cities in Eastern Europe.

"At first glance, Tallinn seems more like a dollhouse that wants to shut itself off from everything evil out there -- like a medieval marzipan miniature whose beauty makes it sufficient unto itself. Strong walls and defiant barbicans enclose the alleys of the historic city center; horses' hooves clatter over the cobblestones; young Estonians dressed up as knaves and ladies of the castle advertise the traditional restaurants Peppersack and Olde Hanse to tourists on the splendidly restored town hall square. The town hall pharmacy sells herbal mixtures prepared according to recipes dating back to 1422 -- the year when it began tending to the town's sick."

"But it seems to have fulfilled its true destiny only since Estonia finally became independent in 1991. Tallinn has become a gateway between East and West -- a UNESCO world heritage site and a center of technological innovation at the same time."

"Tallinn successfully combines the world of high-tech with that of the Middle Ages, linking tradition with cyberspace."

Full Story: EUROPE'S COOLEST CITIES: Tallinn, Estonia's Wired Capital
Source: Der Spiegel, August 29, 2007
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The areas where we have severe blight and indications of more blight to come are basically the same as they ever were. How in the world are we ever going to move our community development selves into an alternative future that thinks differently about the challenges we face in our cities and low-income suburban and rural communities?
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