<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The process of improving the residential areas in Latvia’s cities and their visual and aesthetic quality at the beginning of the 21st century is very slow. Legislation, lack of professionals in institutions, bureaucratic burden of decision-making and other factors create an unnecessary hierarchy. The current instability of the country’s economic and political situation contributes to an imbalance in the psycho-emotional state of society. The permissiveness of society and the desire of citizens to park their cars closer to their front doors are negative features. The construction of multi-storey garages and removing vehicles from courtyards are not a priority for city authorities. The courtyards of apartment blocks built in Latvia in the 1950s–1970s were planned in the post-war years when the number of cars was minimal. The only space in the courtyards was for footpaths, a small play area and a sports field. The rest of the courtyard was lawn and tree planting to provide easy access for emergency vehicles. More than half a century has passed, and today’s task is not easy, as the trees have grown to a great height and are forming shade. In turn, footpaths have lost the purpose to which they led many decades ago. As the political system collapses, the format of living space must change. A new generation is emerging with a new demand for quality. The socio-political and national economic fluctuations are far from easy to stop in the 21st century. There is an apparent lack of cooperation in several planning processes that would ensure the visual and functional quality of urban space at different levels. Latvia’s cities are currently on the path of developing new residential open spaces. Therefore, the study looks at several examples of residential neighbourhoods in Helsinki, Finland, and compares them with residential neighbourhoods in Jelgava, Latvia.
</abstract>

The process of improving the residential areas in Latvia’s cities and their visual and aesthetic quality at the beginning of the 21st century is very slow. Legislation, lack of professionals in institutions, bureaucratic burden of decision-making and other factors create an unnecessary hierarchy. The current instability of the country’s economic and political situation contributes to an imbalance in the psycho-emotional state of society. The permissiveness of society and the desire of citizens to park their cars closer to their front doors are negative features. The construction of multi-storey garages and removing vehicles from courtyards are not a priority for city authorities. The courtyards of apartment blocks built in Latvia in the 1950s–1970s were planned in the post-war years when the number of cars was minimal. The only space in the courtyards was for footpaths, a small play area and a sports field. The rest of the courtyard was lawn and tree planting to provide easy access for emergency vehicles. More than half a century has passed, and today’s task is not easy, as the trees have grown to a great height and are forming shade. In turn, footpaths have lost the purpose to which they led many decades ago. As the political system collapses, the format of living space must change. A new generation is emerging with a new demand for quality. The socio-political and national economic fluctuations are far from easy to stop in the 21st century. There is an apparent lack of cooperation in several planning processes that would ensure the visual and functional quality of urban space at different levels. Latvia’s cities are currently on the path of developing new residential open spaces. Therefore, the study looks at several examples of residential neighbourhoods in Helsinki, Finland, and compares them with residential neighbourhoods in Jelgava, Latvia.

The Research for Aesthetic Quality of Residential Areas in Latvia and Finland

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

Architecture and Urban Planning

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The Research for Aesthetic Quality of Residential Areas in Latvia and Finland"}

The process of improving the residential areas in Latvia’s cities and their visual and aesthetic quality at the beginning of the 21st century is very slow....

The Research for Aesthetic Quality of Residential Areas in Latvia and Finland

Published Online: Dec 18, 2023

Page range: 209 - 216

Received: Nov 01, 2023

Accepted: Nov 27, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2023-0019

Keywords
Courtyard area, multi-storey residential areas, visual aesthetic quality

© 2023 Aija Ziemeļniece et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Research for Aesthetic Quality of Residential Areas in Latvia and Finland

Published Online: Dec 18, 2023

Page range: 209 - 216

Received: Nov 01, 2023

Accepted: Nov 27, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2023-0019

KeywordsCourtyard area, multi-storey residential areas, visual aesthetic quality

© 2023 Aija Ziemeļniece et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Courtyard area, multi-storey residential areas, visual aesthetic quality