Jarno Laur has been mayor of Tartu municipality since 2017. He has dealt with spatial planning issues and citizen involvement also in previous municipal offices – being the deputy mayor of the City of Tartu in 2013-17 and the mayor of Väätsa municipality in 2003-2004 and 2009-13. Experience at the national level includes: Member of the Estonian Parliament 2004-2007, Advisor to the Minister of Population 1999-2002, Advisor to the Minister of the Interior 2007-2009.