Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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INTERREG III B PROJECT
“Sustainable reintegration of post-soviet military areas as a challenge and opportunity for regional development - ReMiDo”
REPORT ON STUDY TOUR TO THE PILOT TERRITORIES
10th -14th of April 2006 and 15th -16th of December, 2006
Municipal enterprise “Vilniaus planas” Vilnius, Lithuania
2007
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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Description: organized 4 days study tour by selected group of experts to 5 pilot areas
Chairman: Vilnius City Municipal Government
Objects of the study tour:
1. Paldiski (Estonia);
2. Valga (Estonia);
3. Liepaja (Latvia);
4. Kaunas (Lithuania);
5. Gorzow Wlkp. (Poland).
Seeking to implement the aim of the INTERREG IIIB project ReMiDo, study tour to the pilot
territories was one of the main activities of the project. It was due to the fact that all initial and
real situation information and data about pilot territories in 5 countries was gathered and primary
expert evaluations could be made. Therefore this activity was very important, and many
participants from project countries took part in it.
Study tour was organized on 10-14 April, 2006 by the WP 4 – representatives of Vilnius City
Municipal Administration, who participate in ReMiDo projects. Organizers of the tour aimed to
visit pilot territories in all project countries in rather short period with the most comfortable
schedule and tour route. This aim was reached, despite the fact that pilot territory in Gorzow
Wlkp., Poland, was left behind during the first study tour dates. Gorzow Wlkp. was a separate
object of the next project activities on 15-16 December, 2006.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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List of participants of the study tour:
1. State agency “Housing agency” (Latvia) – 2 persons;
2. Vidzeme development agency (Latvia) - 1 person;
3. Madona District Council” (Latvia) – 1 person;
4. Mārciena pagasts council, Madonas district (Latvija) – 1 person;
5. Kaunas City Municipal Administration (Lithuania) – 3 persons;
6. Vilnius City Municipal Administration (Lithuania) – 3 persons;
7. Valga Town Government (Estonia) – 2 persons;
8. Paldiski Town Government, (Estonia) – 1 person,
9. Institute for Housing and Urban Economics, Uppsala University, (Sweden) – 2 persons;
10. Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) – 1 person;
11. Municipality of Gorzow Wielkopolski (Poland) – 1 person;
12. University of Technology, Business and Design of Wismar (Germany) – 2 persons;
13. HFR real estate business ltd. (Germany) – 1 person.
21 participants registered to the study tour. On the first stage of the study tour project they visited
pilot objects in 3 countries: Estonia - Paldiski, Valga, Latvia - Liepaja and Lithuania -Kaunas.
The starting point of the study tour was meeting of all participants in Tallinn airport. So those
who were the first ones had a possibility to have a short look to the capital of Estonia.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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1st stop of the study tour – PALDISKI (ES)
From the Tallinn airport all participants started the bus tour to the first pilot territory in Estonia –
Paldiski. The town is located 52 km west from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Its total area is
10180 ha. There are 2300 working age people and 1300 workplaces in Paldiski. 191 are
unemployed, because of insufficient or non-existent language skills, insufficient education,
alcohol addiction, and inability to integrate into the new society.
The meeting in Paldiski was organized in Paldiski Town Government, where participants of
study tour had a chance to speak to Paldiski Town Government chairman, who informed about
existing situation in the economical, social and cultural sphere of the city and analyzed existing
problems in the pilot area. ReMiDo project manager in Paldiski Town Government Regina Rass
gave a more detail picture of the project activities and project area, including project schemes,
plans, work schedules. Study would not be successful without the real look at the pilot territory.
So after the meeting in Paldiski Town Government, all participants had a possibility to see
project object – a building on Rae str. 38.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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Pilot object of ReMiDo project - 300 sq. m. (9 flats). The project object is located in the middle
of the town. In the building is located the social department and city library. Near the building there
is a medicine center, warehouse, town government, bus station. Town Park and marketplace locates
quite by.
Conversion of these former soviet officers’ flats into the social dwelling is the aim of the Paldiski
city. The house was the dormitory with 420 rooms for officers. It was built in 1983; its total size
is 7152 sq.m. One part (1/5) of the house is renovated for the city library, social office and for
some other offices.
Current situation:
- New city library and social department are located in the building;
- Poor technical condition of the building;
- Building has no historical importance, but important role in the social life of Paldiski.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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The biggest part of the building needs new renovation project and infrastructure, like electricity,
piping system, water supply. Keeping in mind the city’s need for social housing, the post military
building could serve as a good choice for further development prospects of social housing. As
well, there are some possibilities to build youth centre or extracurricular activity centre for youth
and children in this building. In general project object needs some expertise, preparation of
territorial planning documents, technical projects of building’s (re)construction, new renovation
technologies.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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After the examination of Paldiski pilot territory all project participants moved to Estonian town
Ottepa (40 km from Valga), where they spent the night and the next morning continued the
journey towards Valga.
2nd stop of the study tour – VALGA (Estonia)
The second pilot territory was also in Estonia. Though Valga city has some specific
characteristics – it has a twin town in Latvia – Valka, and the national border goes just between
the two cities. The meeting of project partners was organized by Valga Municipality in a new
sport center. Meelis Linnamagi - the Head of Development Department, Valga Town
Municipality made the overview of present situation in Valga city, describing needs and
development possibilities in the city. The sport center was just one of the positive development
and investment examples in Valga. The participants of the study tour could enjoy other beautiful
places in the city, too.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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Valga has town rights since 1584. It is situated in the South-Estonia, and its twin city Valka is
situated in the North-Latvia. The twin-towns are located on the opposite sides of Estonian-
Latvian border. The area of Valga is 16,5 km², and Valka is 14 km². Together the cities have
approx. 21 000 inhabitants. The distance to Tartu is 89 km, Pärnu 144 km, Tallinn 245 km, Riga
175 km and Pskov 170 km.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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Valga-Valka is a well known beautiful border town with many green parks, clean river Pedeli
and large recreation area in the centre with lakes, swimming beaches and walking paths. There
are also modern culture and hobby centre with theatre, cinema and conference halls, large sport
halls and stadiums. Valga-Valka is an important logistics centre with railway and lorry transport
companies. There are metal, wood, plastic and meat processing factories, clothes and shoe
workshops, furniture and construction companies, total 650 registered enterprises.
Pilot object of ReMiDo project
After the meeting with the representatives of
the city, project partners could examine the
pilot territory, which is quite close to the
modern sport center.
The pilot area is about 11 ha. There are 35
buildings with 387 flats, total size of the
territory is 13 658 sq.m. All buildings have
been mostly (95 %) in the hands of former
Soviet Army: they were used as soldiers
homes and officers families’ dwelling houses, military hospital, military stadium. There are also
some small plots with private houses in the territory.
As representatives of Valga city informed, 4,1 ha of the pilot land is national, 1,3 ha - municipal
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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and 5,6 ha is private owed. Concerning the ownership of the building, so 1% of them are
municipal, 2% is national and 97% is private. The participants of the study tour could witness
that most of the buildings were in poor condition, as they were built in 1960-1980’s, and not so
very qualitatively. Some buildings are more than 100 years old and constructed by the Russian
Empire.
Examination of the pilot territory showed that there is the first sport stadium of the city and an
Old Catholic church near by. The territory is located near an old central park, and Amurian cork
tree alley crosses it. In general, surroundings are mostly recreational and residential areas. There
is one small shop, one car service workshop, and one second hand shop in the pilot area. Besides
the pilot area there is the Central Sport Hall, Central Gymnasium, kindergarten and Central
Hospital.
Participants of the tour could encounter some commercial enterprises, too. Representatives of
Valga organized an excursion to the shoe fabric, which was established in the renovated old
building with the help of Finnish investments.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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Actual prices of real estate in the pilot area compared to average prices in the town are lower
because the buildings are in poor condition, however the territory has great potential for the
development as the area is centrally located in the town. But as all participants of the study tour
examined, a lot of work should be done to reach this aim. Future works in the pilot area should
include demolition of constructions that are unsuitable, unnecessary or even illegal, creation of
verdant areas, renovation and construction of new pavements, parking lots, periphery hedges and
fencing, as well as drainage of rainwater.
During the walking tour in the pilot area representatives of Valga city were introducing their
future plans in the territory and expectations from ReMiDo project. As they assured preparation
of territorial planning and strategy of the pilot area had already been initiated by Valga Town
Government. They had hopes that renovation, insulation and heat lost expertise of dwelling
houses could be carried out during the ReMiDo project. It was obvious that old amortized
buildings (service buildings, garages, sheds, storages, fences) needed to be demolished, water,
sewage and storm water networks, historical and old fences needed to be reconstructed. Besides
project activities could include construction of parking lot, street lighting, new pavements for
streets and parking lots besides the dwelling houses.
3rd stop of the study tour – LIEPAJA (Latvia)
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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After two days in Estonia participants of the study tour entered the territory of Latvia and moved
towards Liepaja city. Liepaja is located in the west of
Latvia, near the Baltic Sea. It is well known resort in the
Baltic States, so it was great pleasure to visit this city.
Participants of the study tour had a meeting with the
representatives of regional office in the State agency’s
“Housing Agency” Kurdzemes regional office. The
meeting was headed by head of the office - Mr. Jānis
Gailis and Ăirts Lasis, Liepajas City Council
Development Department, Project division project
coordinator. Participants had great possibility to learn
about the pilot project of Liepaja, Karosta military
territory, its present situation and future development
plans.
Liepaja is the third largest city in Latvia. In 2005 there were 85 946 inhabitants in Liepaja.
Population of Liepaja region is 140 000, almost half of all Kurzeme region. In 2004 39 900
people were economically active in the city. Liepaja is an economically active city. The fact
proving this is that in 2002 Liepaja was the third city in Latvia with the highest GDP per capita
(the highest GDP was in Riga (4226Ls), the second was Ventspils (3772Ls)) - 2009Ls. In order
to promote investments in Liepaja there has been established a Special Economic Zone. More
than 2000 ha of Liepaja Special Economic Zone territories are classified as free territories for
different investment projects. The city also has a non-freezing, multifunctional port, strong
industrial capacity and qualified labour force, municipal assistance. Liepaja city is an active city
not only as an economic player, but as an attractive tourism center, too. In 2004 about 21 700
tourists visited the city.
In the official city web site Karosta - former military base from Tsarist and Soviet time - is
indicated as the main city’s attractions. Historically Karosta area has been built at the beginning
of 20th century by the support of Russian Tsar Alexander and it was supposed to be a naval
military basis in the Baltic sea. So the study tour participants could enjoy this possibility. After
the meeting in the regional office, Latvia’s pilot territory was examined in real. Līvija Raăe, SIA
“Vecpilsēta” manager, was leading the excursion. She informed about the present dwelling
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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houses in the area, their ownership,
planned works in the territory and
existing problems, such as public
integration and development
possibility.
Pilot object of ReMiDo project
Karosta – biggest military district in
Baltic States – was established at the
end of 19th century in the south of
Liepaja town. At that time Liepaja was under the Great Russian Empire occupation and it was
well known for its ice-free trade port. In 1940’s the soviet military forces were deployed in
Liepaja town and after that the district of Liepaja – Karosta – became a military port. Then in
early 80’s Liepaja became the military port with submarine base in Karosta district. After the
Soviet Union fall Liepaja became one of the Latvia’s commercial ports, but Karosta district was
fully abandoned by soviet army. Today Liepaja is not a military city any more, but Karosta is a
specific part of Liepaja, it is still a depredated area. The territory of Karosta Industrial Park is
about 40 hectares by the port; about 7.700 inhabitants live there permanently. At the moment the
territory has some social problems as social risk groups are concentrated in the area (prisoners,
disadvantageous families, etc.). Despite these facts, in 2005 the highest density of housing per
capita was in Karosta (26.2 sq.m.), and the biggest housing density owned by municipality also
was in Karosta district (19.8 sq.m. per capita).
ReMiDo pilot object is located in the mentioned Karosta district, Spidolas street 15. It is a two-
stored brick building, built at the beginning of the 20th century (3 Lazaretes street), throughout
the war used for the military purposes. The total size of the building is 1257, 58 sq.m, total flat
space - 970,9 sq.m., living space - 587,0 sq.m., flat facilities - 383,9 sq.m., number of flats – 15.
Liepaja Municipality owns the building at the moment, and it is used as a residential house for
poor families, despite its poor conditions and need to change roof and internal communications.
As the representatives of Liepaja told, there is some social infrastructure in the area – a small
shop in about 300 m distance, a cafeteria in about 1.5 km distance. There is also 1 kindergarten
and 2 schools.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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During the tour in the area representatives informed the participants of the project about future
plans in Karosta district and intentions towards the pilot object. As the participants of the tour
saw themselves, the building needs full reconstruction and demolition of temporary constructions
(new roof, windows, internal communication and improvement of surroundings). Improvements
of the building should include reconstruction of roads, installation of the sewerage, power lines,
and construction of parking area.
After the examination of the project object, participants
of the tour had an opportunity to see some more post-
military soviet areas in the city. The one, which was
shown by the representatives of the city, was in a very
beautiful location near the seaside. As the project
partners could evaluate, the area has very good
development perspective, especially when the city itself
has a motive to create development conception of this
picturesque location.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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The participants of the study tour had the possibility to have a broader look at the area, to visit
local art gallery, where young people of the city very enthusiastically create various art projects,
interesting exhibitions are exposed.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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4th stop of the study tour – KAUNAS (Lithuania)
The 4th stop of the study tour was in Lithuania. Participants visited the second largest city of
Lithuania – Kaunas. Total area of the city is 157 sq. km. Population of the city - 367,000,
11% of total population in Lithuania. Representative of Kaunas City Municipal Administration -
Jovita Tirvien÷ – organized a meeting of project participants in Kaunas City Municipality.
Representatives of Municipal Administration, representatives of local media took part in the
meeting. Participants of the study tour had a possibility to learn about the pilot area in Kaunas.
The former military area in Kaunas city – Panemune barracks – is near the main street of
Panemune area (south-eastern part of
Kaunas city) and the Nemunas river,
not far from the city center and Via
Baltica highway. Panemun÷ military
town - part of Kaunas fortification -
was started to built at the end of the
XIX century. It is included into the
register of immovable cultural
heritage of Lithuania Republic.
The territory of Panemune barracks
is not integrated into the city, but it is
important part of the city because of
its historical and cultural value.
After the meeting in Kaunas City
Municipality participants of the
study tour moved to the pilot area for
the more detail examination of its
real situation. Representatives of the
local media also accompanied the
group, and took some interviews
from the project partners on their
impressions about the pilot area and
its development perspectives.
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Pilot object of ReMiDo project
Project area (23.15 ha) is a big complex of buildings (mainly cottages or two-storey buildings
from red bricks), including stadium, streets and greenery (rows of trees, etc.). Part of this military
town is owned by the Army of Lithuania. It is maintained and used by the Engineering Battalion.
The territory after the World War II was used by the Soviet army soldiers. Now the land in the
pilot territory is owned by the state. Kaunas City Municipality owns 9 derelict buildings in the
military town (Kareivinių street 11). There are some private buildings (used as living houses),
some buildings are leased for private companies. There is a stadium in the territory and it is
leased for public organization Kaunas Football – Baseball club.
Part of this military town is owned by the Ministry of Defence. It is maintained and used by
engineer battalion. Another part is derelict. Though the buildings in the territory are valuable,
they are maintained not effectively and stay in a bad condition.
The artillery battalion of the Kaunas fortress and
subunit of rider artillery was founded in this
military town. Buildings of the military town are
different in their size and destination. There
were such buildings as: small storages, which
were covered with earth; one-storey household
buildings; stables; bath-house; two-storey
buildings of red breaks; building of medical
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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service; office; big three-storey building of the barracks.
The territory has a detail plan, it was prepared in 2004. As the representatives of Kaunas City
Municipality told, according to the Master Plan of Kaunas City, there are plans to built low-rise
commercial and residential buildings in the pilot territory. But at the moment of the study tour
Municipality had no possibilities to renovate and to revitalize military buildings using public
investment. So their intentions should include attraction of private investors. As Jovita Tirvien÷
told that it is planned to prepare feasibility study for the development of the pilot area and
technical project for development of public infrastructure (access road, local streets, parking
places other public places etc.) in the pilot area.
The participants of the study tour had the possibility to visit engineering battalion of J.Vitkus,
which uses part of the buildings in the military town. This battalion was a good example of the
positive use of the former military buildings.
Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme
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It was an interesting part of the tour as the participants had a possibility to look at the everyday
life conditions of the Lithuanian army. Representative of the engineering battalion presented the
territory owned by the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania, also talked about the task
of the battalion to preserve remaining buildings in the military territory.
The first stage of the study tour was finished in Kaunas City. Participants of the tour had no
possibility to see the last pilot object in Gorzow Wlkp. (Poland) on this tour. But the task of WP4
was accomplished later. On 15-16 December, 2006 representatives of Gorzow Wlkp. organized a
conference in the city and finished the study tour – organized the visit to the last pilot area.
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5th stop of the study tour – GORZOW Wlkp. (Poland)
Gorzów - the capital of the Lubuskie Voivodship - is a picturesque city, situated on seven hills.
Convenient travelling conditions and ideal location of the city - at the international transportation
route crossing, just 40 km away from the western border of Poland make Gorzów easily
accessible. The size of the City of Gorzów Wielkopolski is 86 km2. Number of inhabitants: in
2005 – 125416, 65 % of them are in productive age. Rate of unemployment: 11,2 % (as of 31 Jul.
2006). Gross income per inhabitant of the voivodship in comparison to capital city is 86,5 %.
Over 16 000 businesses (98% in private sector), 340 joint – venture companies are located in
Gorzow.
Gorzów is situated in the centre of the 'green lungs' area of Poland, and is a favourable tourist
destination. The area around Gorzów boasts lakes, rivers and woodland, including nature
reserves and national parks. About 50km from Gorzów is Europe's largest bat colony and the
participants of the ReMiDo Project had the possibility to visit it with additional aims.
Gorzow is rapidly developing town. In years 1995-2003 over 66 mln. PLN (~17 mln EURO)
were allocated from the EU Funds for realization of projects. New investments were
concentrated towards development and modernization of communication systems, building of
sewage system, sports and recreational infrastructure development (North Diametral Route;
Sports and Rehabilitation Center "Słowianka„).
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Agenda of the tour to Gorzow Wlkp. consisted of few events. First of all, project partners organized
ReMiDo project meeting-conference in Gorzow Higher School of Business. During the conference
very important information about Poland’s Government policy due to post-military territories, role
of self-government in reuse of post military territories, obtaining and adaptation of post military
objects for the new public functions was gathered. Knowledge about INTERREG Initiative as a tool
reinforcing regional development was improved. The most important was that during the
conference the participants of the project got data about Gorzów Wielkopolski participation in
ReMiDo project and performed project activities in the city. Presentation of student’s competition
„Polygon“ and its results was very useful. Various development visions and possibilities in the pilot
territory in Poland, conception of local spatial development plan were introduced.
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Despite theoretical information during the conference the participants of the tour went to the
pilot area. Area is about 450 ha. The pilot object is located in the north – west outskirts of the
city. The land in the pilot area belongs to two landowners: Municipality of Gorzów Wielkopolski
and State Treasury in use of Institute of Plants Breeding and Acclimation.
The area was used as military training grounds, but at the end of the 90’s there was a reform in
the Polish Military, thereupon military troops were forced to leave the city. Then the area
became the property of the Military Properties Agency and after negotiations with the city
authorities it was decided to integrate it into the city borders in 2001.
As participants of the tour seen, the area is suitable for the development of tourism, sport
infrastructure, industry or production. The city itself has certain preferred functions of this territory
(according to „The Study of conditions and directions of spatial development of the City of Gorzów
Wielkopolski”): public and commercial tourism services; sport services; services and facilities for
sport and recreation; green parks. At the moment the territory is surrounded by forests, fallow lands
and agriculture area, but there are some plans to develop new dwelling district, new service district
near by. The pilot area has rather good transport infrastructure connection - road S3 Świnoujście –
Jakuszyce - a part of international road Malmo (Sweden)– Chania (Greece).
Participants of the tour had very rich programme in
Gorzow city. They got not only theoretical and
practical view of the pilot area, but were able to
experience very warm cultural activity and trip to
one more military object in Poland.
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Almost all project partners were really astonished by the scale of the military object in Pniewy,
Miedzyrzecki Rejon Umocniony – post military bunkers alongside Polish-German border. Bunkers
were constructed before the World War II by Hitler. A Russian speaking guide told many
interesting facts about this object and its history. At the moment the object is a very positive
example of the use of post military objects for the tourism. Despite the military theme, there is the
largest bat colony in the territory. In general it was very useful trip as the project experts expanded
their knowledge about post military objects.
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SUMMARY.
PALDISKI
Former use: military dormitory with
420 rooms for officers. Built in 1983
Size: house is 7152 m2,
Object of the pilot project: 300 sq. m.
(9 flats);
Current situation: city library and
social department; poor technical
condition of the building; building has
no historical importance, but high role
in the social life of Paldiski.
VALGA
Former use: buildings have been
mostly (95 %) in the hands of former
Soviet Army: used as homes and
dwelling houses for soldiers and
officers, as military hospital, military
stadium.
Size: the pilot area is 11 ha. There are
35 buildings, 13 658 sq.m of space,
387 flats.
Current situation: 4,1 ha – national
ownership, 1,3 ha – municipal
ownership, 5,6 ha - private ownership.
Housing ownership is: 1% municipal,
2% national, 97% private.
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LIEPAJA
Former use: the building was built in
the beginning of 20th century, as a
residential part of military fortress of
Karosta district.
Size: the pilot object is 1257,58 sq.m.
Current situation: there are 15 living
flats, which are rented by Liepaja
municipality. The building is owned
by the Municipality, it is in poor
technical condition, depreciated. Roof
and internal communications should be
changed.
KAUNAS
Former use: Panemun÷ military town –
part of Kaunas fortification - was used
for military purposes.
Size: project area (23.15 ha) is a big
complex of buildings, including stadium,
streets and greenery.
Current situation: Buildings are
derelict, half demolished. Detailed plan
for the territory is prepared and approved.
Part of this military town is owned by
the Army of Lithuania. It is maintained
and used by the Engineering Battalion.
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Kaunas City Municipality owns 9 derelict
buildings of the military town.
GORZOW WLKP.
Former use: military training
grounds
Size: about 450 ha.
Current situation: property of
two landowners Municipality of
Gorzów Wielkopolski and State
Treasury. Preferred functions:
public and commercial tourism
services; sport services; services
and facilities for sport and
recreation; green parks areas.