No abstract

The gradual relocation of industry and other related activities out of the core areas of cities often results in voids in the urban structure-spaces that are 'left over'. These places-in transition between their past and future functions-are landscapes with no formal spatial arrangement or current use. Their state of limbo often allows for a variety of informal and spontaneous uses that may enrich the urban structure, albeit temporarily, with their diversity. However, they are usually shown as blank areas on city planning maps with a status of awaiting some future use: thus the space is considered to be empty. As a case study, the temporary inbetween status of a disused and abandoned fishing harbour in Tallinn, Estonia, is documented, in order to present and discuss ways of analysing both positive and negative aspects of dereliction in a post-Soviet context. This blankness, the paper concludes, is an opportunity and a quality, not always a vice but in some cases a virtue and that the rich content of derelict places is worthy of consideration in city planning.