Flooding in Pärnu puts new developments to the test: the “swimming pool technology” of Vanasadama Quarter’s underground level kept floodwater out.
Exceptionally heavy rainfall and flooding in several parts of Pärnu at the end of last week put the riverside areas to the test as well. Due to the extreme rainfall, the city’s stormwater drainage systems were unable to cope with the volume of water, leaving several streets in the city centre impassable and allowing water to enter the basements of many buildings. At the same time, Vanasadama Quarter, located directly on the banks of the Pärnu River, passed nature’s test with flying colours – not a drop of water entered the underground car park.
“This is an excellent practical example showing that when choosing a home by the river or the sea, the location does not necessarily have to mean compromising on a sense of security in everyday life,” said Sven Mihailov, Member of the Management Board of Vanasadama Arendus. “While it may appear to an outside observer that the car park is located below the river’s water level, the floor of the underground parking level is actually slightly above sea level. The underground level of the quarter has been designed and constructed to be watertight, essentially working on the principle of a swimming pool – with one important difference: the water is kept firmly outside rather than inside. Last week’s storm and flooding confirmed that this solution also works in practice.”
When it comes to property located directly by the water, the focus is usually on the views and lifestyle. However, the events of 4 September served as a reminder of how important the things that are not immediately visible can be. “The true value of a modern building lies precisely in these smart and secure solutions, whose practical importance only becomes apparent when they are put to the test by the forces of nature,” Mihailov added.
The key advantages of Vanasadama Quarter are its well-planned overall concept – a riverside location in the city centre, high-quality new buildings and secure underground parking. The first phase of the development, Kalda 4, is a five-storey residential and commercial building comprising more than 60 apartments, a guest apartment and commercial premises.
