DHC+ SUMMER SCHOOL
Every year, one of the DHC+ members has the opportunity to host the Summer School, promote its city/region and position itself as a lead supporter for Education & Training measures in district energy. This year, our host is TalTech, who will welcome international participants for the first DHC+ Summer School in Estonia.
THE CITY - TALLINN
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia, situated on the northern coast of the country along the Gulf of Finland. This city, with a population of approximately 437 000, is steeped in history and characterised by a vibrant energy and a unique atmosphere. Many universities and colleges attract students from all over the world.
In 2023, Tallinn proudly holds the title of European Green Capital, highlighting the city's commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Some facts about Tallinn and things to see:
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Old Town: The Old Town of Tallinn is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. It features narrow cobblestone streets, Gothic spires, and historic buildings such as the Town Hall Square and the St. Olaf's Church.
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Toompea Castle: This historic castle is located on Toompea Hill and houses the Estonian Parliament. It was originally built in the 13th century and has since been renovated and expanded.
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Kadriorg Palace: This beautiful palace was built by Peter the Great of Russia in the 18th century and is surrounded by a large park with fountains, flower gardens, and sculptures. It now houses the Estonian Art Museum's foreign art collection.
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Seaplane Harbour: This maritime museum is located in a renovated seaplane hangar from the early 20th century. It features interactive exhibits on the history of Estonia's maritime and military past, as well as a collection of historic ships and planes.
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Kumu Art Museum: This modern art museum is located in the Kadriorg district and features a collection of Estonian art from the 18th century to the present day. The building itself is a work of art, with sleek, contemporary architecture and beautiful views of the surrounding park.
OUR HOST: Tallinn University of Technology
Established in 1918, Tallinn University of Technology (also known as TalTech) is the only technical university in Estonia. Tallinn University of Technology, in the capital city of Tallinn, is a university for engineering, business, public administration and maritime affairs. TalTech has colleges in Tartu and Kohtla-Järve. There are more than 11 000 students in Tallinn University of Technology, of which 1500 are international. There are also nearly 1000 people working as academic staff, nearly 200 of them are international. Tallinn University of Technology offers 33 Bachelor programmes and more than 40 Master programmes. There are also 11 PhD programmes.
The university consists of five schools, which are school of engineering, school of business and governance, school of science, school of information technologies and Estonian Maritime Academy. TalTech’s mission is to be a promoter of science, technology, and innovation and a leading provider of engineering and economic education in Estonia.
See more: https://taltech.ee/en/our-story
THE VENUE: Mektory
TalTech Innovation and Business Centre Mektory is a networking environment where businesses, students, professors, schoolchildren and investors from all over the world meet to generate new ideas and innovation together as one team.
Mektory house is a place where good ideas, new inspiration, resourceful people, and awesome solutions come together. There are 14 unique meeting rooms at Mektory, and the largest conference hall has a 270 degree and 40 metre wide screen for even the most dynamic and immersive presentations.
Mektory combines science with practical solutions and has been designed in partnership with the science faculty members. Here you can see student creations such as a satellite, autonomous vehicle, a smart pavement and more.
ACCOMMODATION
As in previous years, participants have the flexibility of booking the accommodation of their choice. Please use the map below to find the most convenient place to stay close to the venue.
We recommend the Citibox, a Green Key Certificate holder, which is where the DHC+ team and lecturers will stay. The hotel is ideally located close to Tallinn's Old Town and offers comfortable rooms at affordable prices.
All rooms at Citybox Tallinn City Center have a private bathroom with a rainshower and hairdryer. Each room is equipped with a desk, a chair, as well as comfortable beds and WiFi. Some also have window seating. The hotel is equipped with a communal kitchen offering a microwave, a fridge and a kettle. There is also a vending machine with snacks and drinks in the kitchen.
2023 Summer School participants can benefit from a 10% discount when booking. Please use the code: 10HTPG.
For more options, please consult the map below:
HOW TO GET THERE:
While we strongly encourage all participants to choose a sustainable mode of transportation, we acknowledge that it may not be possible for everyone. Please check below some of the options available.
BY PLANE: Tallinn can be reached by plane. Tallinn-Lennart Meri or Lennart Meri Tallinna Lennujaam is Tallinn's international airport.
BY SHIP: Arriving in Tallinn by ship is highly recommended due to the excellent ship connections between the Port of Tallinn, Helsinki, and Stockholm.
BY TRAIN: Within Estonia, Tallinn can be reached by train. The Baltic Station (Balti jaam) is the central railway station in Tallinn. It is situated in Rannamäe tee, 10133 Tallinn.
BY BUS:
To get to the city centre from Tallinn Airport, use buses 2 or 15. Bus 2 departs from the airport's lowest level (stop Lennujaam), down the escalator from the arrivals hall – simply follow the signs. Bus 15 also stops at Tallinn Airport.
Tickets can be purchased on board with a contactless payment card (2 EUR) or at the ticket machine at the airport (2 EUR). The closest stop to the city centre is A. Laikmaa, and the ride from the airport takes around 20-25 minutes. Check bus lines and timetables here.
All participants will be provided by the City of Tallinn with free bus tickets for the duration of the Summer School. They will be shared on Sunday, 20 August.
BY TAXI: We recommend using Bolt which is reasonably priced in Estonia. A ride to/from the airport usually costs less than 10 EUR, depending on the time of the day.