A 4-day study visit to Latvia was attended by specialists from the project “Trans-form” partner municipalities from Panevėžys and Visaginas (Lithuania) to get acquainted with the experience of local governments in the planning of brownfield development, plans and work already done in this area.

During the visit from 19 to 22 March 2019, Lithuanian colleagues visited Daugavpils City Municipality, Kraslava and Rezekne Municipalities and Rezekne Special Economic Zone. In Daugavpils city specialists spent two days, during which meeting in the municipality were organized, as well as visit of revitalized territories in the following objects – Daugavpils fortress, Latgale zoo, Stropu route, Porohovka lake, Northern industrial area, Esplanade and ZINOO center.

 

 

During the visit to Kraslava it was possible to visit the territory of the old wastewater treatment plant in Kalna Street, which is the first completed degraded object in the project. The specialists also went to the industrial zone of Indras Street, visited the Kraslava Castle complex, the Tourist Information Center, and the restored sports stadium. At the end of the day, Krāslava planning specialists presented their current and future projects to their Lithuanian colleagues.

Representatives of Rezekne SEZ and Rezekne Municipality, who were visited on 21 March, shared their experience in brownfield regeneration. Rezekne SEZ specialists presented to guests from Lithuanian municipalities the achievements of Rezekne SEZ in the restoration of territories and together visited such objects as the new building of Viļakas Street, the renovated office and warehouse building at Atbrīvošanas aleja 155A, k-1, Komunālā Street 13 and 11C, as well as the renewed road stage Lejas Ančupāni- Lejas Ančupāni in Rezekne County.

The delegation also visited the largest company in Rezekne SEZ according to the number of employees and production volume VEREMS RSEZ SIA (woodworking).

On the closing day of the study visit, the participants visited Rezekne County, visiting the Lūznava Manor complex and getting acquainted with the projects implemented by the municipality and planned in the future. Like in Kraslava, Lithuanian colleagues also had the opportunity to look at the brownfield area within the project, where the old dormitory was dismantled and a children’s playground for local residents and tourists was created. Participants also visited the Malta high school and multifunctional hall.

 

The organization of the study visit was appreciated by Lithuanian colleagues, interesting objects were selected, new ideas were found for further cooperation between municipalities.

 

L.Upeniece

Project Information Specialist