The fifth seminar for the municipal specialists was dedicated to the theme of landscape architecture solutions.

 

The 5th seminar for municipal specialists was dedicated to the theme of landscape architecture, planning of new culture and rest zones, restoring of historic parks, it took place on June 15, in Talsi.

Knowledge and practical experience was shared about degraded landscape planning, restoration of Ķemeri park, Jaunauce manor park, elaboration of the concept for Vilkmuiža lake and its surrounding territory. This was the last one from the five planned seminars within the framework of the “Clean brownfields” project, and we may conclude that more than 150 municipal and planning regions specialists have received training about how to clean, put in order, revitalize degraded territories.

The seminar was started with a presentation by Natalija Ņitavska, landscape architect, professor of University of Agriculture of Latvia. She told about degraded landscape planning, characteristic problems and challenges in Latvia and other European countries. She pointed to several aspects what should be taken into account when revitalizing the landscape: the physical condition of the landscape, politically economic situation, socially cognitive situation or the historic memory of the society, stereotypes, traditions and culture. It is also very essential to involve inhabitants in the process of landscape planning, thus fostering co-responsibility about the adopted decisions and making people to feel like “local owners” of the place.

The seminar was continued by practical case studies about restoration of landscapes, culture and rest zones creation. Ance Bērziņa, project manager of Ķemeri park restoration project, executive director of “Livland”, ltd.,told about reconstruction and restoration project of the historic Ķemeri park, Jūrmala, characteristic problems a planner is facing and has to solve in the process when working at historic park. It is envisaged Ķemeri park could regain its historic appearance in the beginning of 2021.

Dr.arch.Ilze Rukmane – Poča, “Balta istaba”, ltd., told about planning of concept for  new green areas at Vilkmuiža lake, Talsi. Active sports and rest zones are planned acording to artistic, historic, principles. It is planned to create historic and lake – side paths zones, cognitive/ green park zones. Most probably, magnificent, far –reaching concept including sculptures, foot-bridges in the wood and on the water, active rest zones, children play-grounds will be implemented in several stages.

Landscape architect Ilze Māra Janelis continued with an inspiring lecture about Jaunauce, Saldus county, and other historic manor parks in Latvia, a live illustration of past times life. According to her each landscape park should offer places for beautiful views, places for reflection and places for rejoicing. She indicated that not only trees but also shrubs are essential consistent part of manor parks. Before to start any cleaning works  it is important to carry out investigation to understand the earlier made plans and role of plants. Manor park is a private open air space which was guarded from outside by different shrubs. I.M. Janelis also told that old Jaunauce park map, dated 1921, which was found was of great help to understand what the park had looked like once to continue its restoration in its original view.

The seminar was concluded by Jolanta Skujeniece, head of development planning and project management department of Talsi county municipality, who told about the projects implemented in Talsi, for example, newly created sculptures, reconstruction of Talsi culture centre, and in the territory of Talsi county, for example, reconstruction of central square in Sabile. Participants of the seminar watched a short film about the theme relevant projects realized in Talsi county.

 

More information on the project: https://www.kurzemesregions.lv/projekti/pievilciga-dzives-vide/brownfields/

Information was prepared by:

Laura Homka

Project PR specialist

laura.homka@kurzemesregions.lv