Through Tõnu Tunnel’s lens: from spaces for cars into places for people

Tunnel’s vision

You might not even realise it, but your city is built for cars. Roads and car parks take up to 80% of urban land. Imagine if some of it could turn into green parks and busy promenades instead.

Around the world, cities have started fighting back against private cars.

To document the change, we sent award-winning photographer Tõnu Tunnel across Europe and curated his work into the first-ever gallery of urban transformations.

And now, it’s time to hear from the man itself  – Tõnu Tunnel, a photographer fascinated with ever-changing cities.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“As a freelance architecture photographer, I’m drawn to portraying manufactured spaces. 

I’ve been captivated by observing cities, their architecture, and urbanism for half my life. Before pursuing photography at the Estonian Art Academy, I briefly studied construction engineering at Tallinn Technical University. Although the subject was too dry for my taste, it was my first indication of a deep interest in built environments.

Living in Tallinn has allowed me to witness a rich history of different eras, from medieval Old Town to rundown Soviet-era industrial areas, amateur 90s ‘cowboy capitalism’, and fancy micro-lofts with smartphone-controlled doors. 

Observing these areas, and their inevitable gentrification, has evolved from a passion into a profession. Although I primarily photograph commissions for architects, I still occasionally document old buildings destined to be demolished or renovated beyond recognition. I feel a particular social responsibility to do this.”

From Barcelona to Amsterdam: adapting to the pulse of different cities

Q: Describe the project; how was it to get around? What challenges did you face? What were your favourite cities? 

“Working on this project was an interesting experiment in understanding how different cities look, feel, and breathe. 

While some cities were easy to navigate, getting around others proved to be more strenuous.

Surprisingly, the novelty of travelling to a new city every day quickly wore off, and I embraced the normality of urban spaces. The project forced me to adapt my shooting rhythm and techniques. I learned to be quicker and more discreet.

I even abandoned my tripod in favour of blending in with a tourist-like appearance. This helped me to avoid attracting attention while trying to get the perfect shot of a busy plaza or a pedestrian street.

The journey through the cities was full of unforgettable moments, ranging from a Barcelona taxi driver zooming through the night to elderly gentlemen engaging in a game of petanque and lively conversations in the city.

However, the most gratifying aspect of the trip was witnessing the transformation from car-filled streets to vibrant pedestrian zones.

Exploring Paris on an e-bike proved to be an unexpectedly delightful experience. At the same time, Copenhagen quickly captured my heart and became one of my all-time favourite cities, thanks to its more considerate traffic culture.

Conversely, manoeuvring through Amsterdam felt a tad aggressive and lacked the harmony I had come to appreciate in Copenhagen.”

Seeing cities evolve: from spaces for cars into places for people

Q: Which cities have changed the most? Which ones still have room for change? And how can we create more people-centric cities?

Although it’s difficult to pinpoint exact locations, I was impressed by the transformations of Paris and Amsterdam. At the same time, cities like Turin, Madrid, Tallinn, and Stockholm require further changes, in my opinion.

As a seasoned cyclist, I felt comfortable renting scooters and e-bikes almost everywhere. Still, I understand that not everyone has the same confidence I have in riding in a foreign city.

To create a city that caters to its inhabitants and is capable of change, we need green areas, equality between different modes of transport, and a human-first approach to urban planning.

The cities of tomorrow must be inclusive, accessible, and sustainable, focusing on people rather than cars. However, transforming them is not a task for urban planners alone. It requires collective action. As citizens, we’ve a significant role to play in shaping them.

After all, the cities we want tomorrow begin with the actions we take today.

The change can happen more quickly — and a good place to start is by driving less, then more walking and/or cycling and travelling by public transport, scooters, e-bikes, and shared cars.”

Visit the full online gallery to learn more about how we can make cities for people, not cars.