TheThe Preservation andPreservation and DevelopmentDevelopment Plan Plan of theof the HistoricHistoric CentreCentre ofof RigaRiga

• Riga City Development Department• 07.06.2005.

• Presentation by AIGARS KUŠĶIS architect – territorial planner

• member of the working group of the PDP

Content of presentation

• Riga Historic Centre – UNESCO’s World Heritage Site: Values

• General data• Reasons for specific

plan / Expectations• Legislation

background

• Results: PDP of RHC• Questions and

answers

• RIGA• HISTORIC

• CENTRE

Historic Centre of Riga has been classified upon the World Heritage List of UNESCO on December 6, 1997 (site Nr. 852)

Inscription criteria (I)• The Historic Centre of

Riga, while retaining its medieval and later urban fabric relatively intact,

Inscription criteria (II)• is of outstanding

universal value by virtue of the quality and the quantity of its Art Nouveau architecture, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world,

Inscription criteria (III)• and its 19th

century architecture in wood

UNESCO’s World Heritage site and it’s Protection zone

General data• World Heritage Site area

438,3 ha:1,5% of Riga

• Buffer zone area1574,2 ha

Territory of the Plan530 ha

• Inhabitants: -RHC : ~80 000 (1998) - ~59

000 (2002) -Old Riga: 4291 (1998) - 1636

(2002)-buffer zone 75 000 (2002)-Riga: 753 000 (2001), 790 000

(2005)• Working places: 96 410,

Old Riga – 28 035

Reasons for specific Plan

• UNESCO status– Institutional agreement about elaboration of specific

plan

• Results of implementation of Riga Development plan– Development plan is legally binding to property owners,

but it is too general– Developers and owners interests: cheaper, simplier,

faster– Lack of knowledge and understanding of values– Cultural heritage is endangered

• Pressure from public

Legislation background• Planning system. Plans according to planning levels:• (International) - influence• National Plan - not existing• Regional Plan - in process• District Plan - not in Riga City case• Municipal level:

– Development Strategy - optional, 1st draft– Development Programme - 1st draft– Territorial (Master) Plan - legally binding. Existing, new in process– Detail Plan (Land-use plan) - legally binding. Few territories

covered

Legislation background• Constitution:• 105. Everybody has rights to have property. Property must not be

used against interests of the society.• 115. State protects rights of everybody to live in a good

environment, giving information about it’s state and taking care about it’s preservation and improvement.

• Civil Code:• Allows to have any potential benefit of propeerty, while it is not

eliminated by other – specific laws and regulations

• Implementation of Heritage Protection legislation and • Nature Protection legislation is out of public control

Specific transition problems:• We do not have specific type of plans for Heritage Protection (only

some such plans from Soviet period revised and used in smaller towns) – has to be used common planning

• Legislation says nothing about implementation of the plans (programmes and schemes are not in required minimum) – nobody makes such documents, although it is not prohibited

• Nothing is stated, how the results of public discussion should be used in following planning. It is said, that municipality have to listen to public opinion

• “Heritage of Soviet Past”: – all planning activities and documents were top secret– All planning documents were worked out exeptionally by

profesionals (under “soft supervision from only and right” politic opinion) without any opinion from the public

– Naturally, public opinion is not wery welcomed, when professionals talking

Analysis of the territory• Authenticity / Values• Historical

Development• Functions / Use of

the Land and Buildings

• Traffic / Pedestrians• Spatial Composition• Economical

Analysis of streetscape and building blocks

Analysis of preservation and development priority territories

Values of Building Substance

Preservation and development of cultural heritage(MAP)

Planned land-use (MAP)

Preservation and development of greenery system

Old Riga before 2nd World War. 1930ths

Old Riga. Scheme of 2nd World War damages

Major totalitarian development sketches before and after the war

Development possibilities in Old Riga

Results: PDP of RHCThe basic current concept of the development of RHC1. Protection of culture heritage and environmental values2. Economic development, multi-functionality3. Strategic transport solutions (bridges, tunnels), public

transport development, traffic organization 4. Public space quality development and environment quality

rising (urban space, greenery system)5. New development’s quality management: modern and

attractive, in harmony with historic City environment6. Protection of residential amenities and inhabitation level in

the Historic Centre7. Democracy and transparency of development processes,

information and education

Expected results of the process• Information and discussion during the planning

process• Consensus between society, politicians and

specialists• Clear and transparent “Rules of the Game” -

legal and enough detailed Plan:– Values discussed and fixed legally– “Smart” Building Regulations– Draft Operational Programme

• Creation of the Planning Database• Different documents revised and concerted

Questions and answers

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

• Theme was presented by architect and territorial planner AIGARS KUŠĶIS

• chief territorial planner – project manager of the Project Division of City Development Department of Riga City Council

• e-mail: aigars.kuskis@atdep.rcc.lv• Phone: +371 70129292, mobile: +371 9276491

• http://www.rvc.lv (general information in Latvian)