On a Particular Opinion of Members of the Latvian Union of Architects

Riga City Council has received information that the open letter of the Latvian Union of Architects (LAS) on the Riga development and the Riga territory planning spread in mass media on 3 February 2009 is not considered to be an official opinion of all authors of the published letter. This is confirmed by the LAS responsible secretary application to the Riga City Council Vice-Mayor Andris Ārgalis.

Pursuant to the aforesaid fact, as well as the opinions expressed at the 5 February public discussion meeting on amendments to the Riga Territory Plan, the City Development Department draws a conclusion that the publicly announced criticism of the Territory Plan is a particular opinion of some LAS members.

This opinion will be evaluated alongside with other proposals on the 1st draft of amendments to the Territory Plan. Specialists of the Department can agree to several criticisms expressed in the letter of architects, for instance, on excessive detailed elaboration of the Plan, still emphasizing that the Plan and its amendments can be elaborated only on the effective legislation basis, which regulates the degree of detailed elaboration of the corresponding plan.

It can be concluded that publication of the opinion on behalf of LAS, having not received approval of its authors, places misgivings on the mutual cooperation ethics between colleagues.

The City Development Department informs that the Riga Long-term Development Strategy for the period up to 2025, the Riga Territory Plan for 2006 – 2018 and the Riga Development Programme for 2006 – 2012 are the documents to elaborate which over 12 000 residents, different institutions and specialists have participated with their ideas. Thereto, these documents have been approved by foreign experts as well. At present, discussion of the 1st draft of amendments to the Territory Plan is taking place, and the City Development Department invites all residents of the city and specialists to actively participate in the city planning process.

The currently elaborated amendments to the Riga Territory Plan are related to changes in the Shelterbelt Law, two judgments of the Satversme Court and several state and municipal objects, as well as other proposals.

The City Development Department notifies that discussions on the 1st draft of amendments to the Riga Territory Plan for 2006 – 2018 end on 17 February. Within its framework, the City Development Department arranges several discussions of interested groups in the Riga City Council Assembly Hall on the 1st Floor.   On 16.02.2009 residents and other interested persons are invited for the discussion at 18:00.  All discussions are open; besides, all interested persons can watch their live broadcast on the Riga City Council webpage www.riga.lv.

Likewise, public discussion of amendments to the Riga Territory Plan the Assessment Report of Impact on the Environment takes place up to 17 February. Written proposals and opinions on the Assessment Report of Impact on the Environment elaborated by Vides Konsultāciju Birojs SIA and its summary to the amendments to the Riga Territory Plan for 2006-2018 are expected to be submitted during the public discussion period before 17.02.2009 to Vides Konsultāciju Birojs SIA at Ezermalas iela 24/26, Riga, LV-1014; telephone/fax +371 67557668; e-mail:  birojs@vkb.lv.

Interested persons can view the Riga Territory Plan for 2006 – 2018 and its amendments, the Assessment Report of Impact on the Environment and its summary, as well as other planning documents, at the Riga City Council, Rātslaukums 1, 1st Floor, on week days from 9.00 to 17.00, as well as on the City Development Department homepage www.rdpad.lv in the Public Discussions sector.

Public Relations Division of the Riga City Council City Development Department