Miks Berzins - Riga, livable city by Amsterdam Academy of Architecture

RĪGA, LIVABLE CITY A SNAPSHOT OF A DREAM

Miks Berzins Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam - Riga 2023 Contact: miks.berzins@outlook.com 1

PROLOGUE Traditional, top-down area development methods in Riga, Latvia have proven to take a very long time to take effect, many falling through before being realized leaving many spaces, places and voids degraded and walled-off, forever waiting for their time to shine. Meanwhile, the city center is becoming more and more undensified and car centric with every year gone by. Should a bottom-up approach with quick methods and temporary solutions be adopted to work with the potential these voids carry? Does adding desired functionality to a neighborhood increase its value? Do the temporary solutions have the potential to evolve into permanent ones? Or is it all just wasted energy?

#Removing barriers #Collaborating with users #Blurring the limits #Making connections #Appropriating a roof #Characterising spaces #Reinterpreting the existing #Inducing experiences #Managing rainwater #Raising eco awarness #Farming and consuming #Creating a landscape

COMMITTEE

Herman Zonderland

Viesturs Celmiņš

Toms Kokins

Urban designer at Municipality of Amsterdam

Anthropologist who specializes in design and planning

Architect and urban designer from Riga

herman@zonderland.net

viesturs.celmins@vefresh.com

toms.kokins@gmail.com

Experienced Urban Designer with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Urbanism, Public Space, Spatial Planning, Urban Planning, and Landscape Architecture. Strong arts and design professional with a MA focused in Urbanism from Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten.

Specializes in design and planning. In 2013/2014 he organized “The City Seminar” at the University of Cambridge. In 2015/2016 he took part in the formation of the Baltic pavilion at the 15th Venice Biennial Architecture Exhibition, and since 2016 studies the future of knowledge theory within the project “Live Baltic Campus” at the University of Latvia.

A trained architect Toms Kokins has established himself as the defender of innovative ideas, with the goal to improve public space in order to raise the quality of life, because we build and develop cities for our long-term well-being

Mentor

Interdisciplinary committee members that know the city.

http://www.arhitekts.riga. lv/index.php/runataji-17/ viesturs-celmins

http://www.zonderland.net/

http://tedxriga.com/author/

CONTENTS Prologue 003

Livability compared 080

Comittee 005

Statement 081

Introduction 008

Tools 082

Latvia

Void Function toolbox

083

Riga

Connection to Amsterdam

088

Not only a dream

090

Problem statement 020 Un-densified city Urban sprawl

Ģertūdes Superblock 094

Drive-through city

Layers 096

Historical view 030 Large scale future interventions

Traffic

037

Parking Green Spaces

Fascination 043

Drawings & Detail 110

Voids categorized Voids mapped Location 053

Conclusion 141

Stagnation 073

Void function toolbox - full set

Goal 079

References 169

143

INTRODUCTION Riga has always had a rough and somewhat messy character to it – a byproduct of consistently changing times. More than once, a prosperous city shook by shifting powers and changing ideologies all leaving its mark still visible in the urban fabric today. The city stands with many voids, voids ranging from unoccupied buildings to inaccessible green fields to disused industrial heritage. To many, it is what makes the city so unique and full of contrast, however, this messiness is also the city’s biggest downfall. More and more people tend to move away to the suburbs. Since the restoration of the independence of Latvia in 1991, the population of Riga has shrunk by more than a quarter. During the Soviet industrialization period, after WWII, almost all property was nationalized, Riga grew both spatially and in terms of population but not in terms of livability. The focus was on its standardized Industry and equality over everything rather than quality, which led to the decay of many existing buildings as well as prime waterfront locations, adapted for industrial use while placing mass housing micro districts1 as satellites towards the borders of the city. The end of occupation brought hope for a life in a democracy, but among that the early 90s were tough times in terms of economy and overall order. A rapid emigration of non-Latvians and the fact that many residents moved to the countryside looking for a more independent and peaceful way of life especially affected population density within the city center. De-nationalization placed many buildings and plots in the hands of people who lacked the resources and experience to manage their newly acquired estate driving many spaces into even further decay. Leading to many abandoned plots and even whole industrial areas as voids within the urban fabric, most of which remain unchanged still today. Joining the European Union further opened the doors for emigration to look for a better life in the West, which only grew after the 2008 financial crisis. However, the situation in recent years has been slowly turning around, yearly statistics2 show that even though the population of Riga as a city is still slowly declining, the whole metropolitan area is starting to grow in population. In addition to population data, the average salary3 is reported to be significantly higher In Riga compared to other cities in Latvia. Thus, proving the city is indeed an attractive place to be, at least for economic reasons. Furthermore, upcoming new railway infrastructure projects will provide new connections to Europe4, investments in trading logistics, the IT industry, and startup-friendly policies5 are shaping the city to be economically attractive for investors and businesses as well as job seekers on an international level for the foreseeable future. All the aforementioned recent trends sound quite promising, right? So, what’s the problem? Not all is as perfect as it might seem at first. Yes, the overall population growth in the metropolis area Is a positive thing and should be celebrated, however not much is being done to address the reduction in population density6 within the city center. Over the last years surfacing a whole new problem – local migration from the city to suburbs – urban sprawl. A circular effect of people moving out of the city because they find the city to be too desolate and making it even more lonesome by doing so. Meaning that the city is expanding even though there is plenty of space for it to grow within its borders. With many voids left within the urban fabric, empty buildings, empty squares, empty meadows, and industrial remains leading to empty windows and streets – all characterizing the city, waiting to live again.

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdistrict 2 https://stat.gov.lv/en/statistics-themes/population/population-number 3 https://stat.gov.lv/en/statistics-themes/labour-market/wages-and-salaries

4 https://www.railbaltica.org/ 5 https://investinlatvia.org/en/news/latvia-ranked-as-the-most-startup-friendly-country-ineurope 6 https://apkaimes.lv/statistika/iedzivotaju-blivums/

LATVIA

Area: 64.600 km2 Population: 1.85 mil Density: 29.6 ppl/km2 Capital city: Rīga Area: 304 km2 Water area: 51 km2 Population Riga Rīga: 606.000 Density: 2400 ppl/km2 Rīga metropolitan area: 958.015 City budget: €1.26 billion GDP Latvia: $ 40.47 billion GDP Riga: $ 20.00 billion (~50% of national GDP) Independence Declared: 1918 Restored after occupation: 1991 Joined the EU: 2004 Joined NATO: 2006

RĪGA Founded in 1201 Area: 304 km2 Water area: 51 km2 Population Riga Rīga: 606.000 Density: 2400 ppl/km2 Rīga metropolitan area: 958.015 City budget: €1.26 billion GDP Latvia: $ 40.47 billion GDP Riga: $ 20.00 billion (~50% of national GDP) (~75% of national GDP for Riga metro area)

Amsterdam Stockholm

1 000 000

Copenhagen Riga Vilnius

500 000

Tallin

0 1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

Population today (2022): 605 802 (Declining tendency)

2010

2022

2030

Population highest point (1990): 909 135

Density: 2400 ppl/km2 Central density in decline, High in micro districts Growing in suburbs and nearby cities/towns Metropolitan area population: 958 015 (growing

INNER CITY UN-DENSIFIED - Over the Past 20 years the population of the city center has shrunk by nearly 40 000 inhabitants. - 72% of the cities inhabitants live in microdistricts - high density areas, most built from 1950 - 1980 nearby factories. These days the occupation of people living in micro-districts is no longer tied to the nearby factories. The level of income has increased but quality of life has not. Leading to local migration mostly outward of the city. - A notable loss (~100 000 inhabitants) in population in micro districts over the last 20 years can be seen.

URBAN SPRAWL Desirable life in just outside the city border. Since the early 2000s population in the cities outskirts has increased by more than 20%. Life outside the city borders lures people with qualities often missing from the city center. Qualities such as : Larger m2 living spaces, Green areas, Safe living for kids, accessible schools and other functions. All this leads to an overall increase in personal transport as most offices are still located within the city.

Data source: CSB, Riga X 21

Image: Bing maps 22

Image: Bing maps 23

DRIVE-THROUGH CITY Car centric city life. Old school city planing with micro-districts in combination with the urban sprawl of the city. Many people work somewhere near the city center, but live/sleep somewhere outside. Riga is the country's economical center, providing 3/4 of the national GDP, it is also the largest and therefore most expensive city to maintain. However, the sprawl(metropolitan structure) means the flow of income tax feeds the small cities surrounding Riga rather than the city itself. Bad Ring road and not many dedicated and fast public transport routes lea to a lot of daily through traffic.

Daily congestion caused by through-traffic on Brīvības, K. Valdemāra, Čaka, Krasta and many other streets

Drive-through city 26

Parking city - layers of car. Ģertrūdes street 27

Parking city 28

Dead business city 29

HISTORICAL VIEW The city hasn't always been car-centric. Historical maps of a different time, show a concentrated city with living and working intertwined. The car dependent city that Riga has become today is an evolution of soviet city planing. Back then, work was mostly done in factories living, working and leisure were separated, personal transport was not common. Life has changed, but the planning has largely remained.

1936 30

Livable street profile 1912 31

1912 View of Alexanderstrasse, Riga, Latvia - now Freedom Street 32

Livable street profile early 20 century. 33

Brīvības street 1965 vs 2017. Image: Pilsētacilvēkiem 34

Purvciems 1986 35

Purvciems urban plan 36

FUTURE PERSPECTIVE - LARGE SCALE INTERVENTIONS Future intervention perspective, that requires a massive investment. Involves new connections and diverting traffic from the city. The plan is good and for sure will help to free the city center of through-traffic. But it is unknown when the new bridges and ring road will actually be built.

RAIL BALTIC

Rail Baltica is a greenfield rail transport infrastructure project with a goal to integrate the Baltic States in the European rail network. The project includes five European Union countries – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and indirectly also Finland. It will connect Helsinki, Tallinn, Pärnu, Riga, Panevežys, Kaunas, Vilnius, Warsaw. The Baltic part of the Rail Baltica project is referred to as the Rail Baltica Global Project.

Image and text: Rail Baltica 41

Photo: Bererix 42

FASCINATION OF UNUSED SPACES Voids and empty spaces - the open canvas of Riga. And opportunity for a livable city.

URBAN VOID CONCENTRATION Unused spaces spread around the whole inner city. Central area lacks the local qualities of livability the most

LOCATION

Central location Grid city structure Local scale Large enough for showing multiple functions Traffic changes Biggest impact Density Prototype for other spaces in the city Open spaces in the closed urban block Growth possibilities Dynamic spaces

# UTM: 35 V easting 322.20 km northing 6314.40 km

UTM-Grid-width = 200m

Local House 57

Kimmel block 67

Stock Pot 69

Mañana 70

Ģertrūdes old church 71

STAGNATION

2011

2014

2018

2019

Stagnation over the years: This particular case is for the void on Skolas street. The plot has witnessed multiple owners, projects and ambitions, but remains fenced off and inaccessible for almost a decade. With no signs of development any time soon. 2021

2022

Building site forever 74

2011

2014

2018

2019

Stagnation over the years: Void on K. Valdemāra street. Demolished, then demolished some more. Gone through multiple projects and owners but nothing has come to be realized. Remains fenced off to this day with no consequences to the owner 2021

2023

The same void viewed from Hanzas street 76

2011

2014

2018

2019

Kimmel block void has seen multiple architectural competitions over the years. The previous owners still allowed for some life to happen there, but since the most recent competition (3 years ago) the whole block has been fenced off with no real signs of construction. 2021

2023

Block fenced off from all sides 78

GOAL / MISSION: RĪGA LIVABLE CITY But why even care for density in Riga? As stated by the A+T research group in the book conveniently named: “Why Density”: “In terms of carbon emissions, it has been proven that the dispersed city, consisting of individual houses, is a bigger source of carbon emissions than the compact city, not only for the energy required for each house but also for the emissions delivered from individual transport, for public transport is unfordable because the population does not reach critical mass. Secondly, road surfaces increase proportionally to the dispersion and convert rural land into asphalt landscapes. The proportion of asphalt needed to serve individual houses is 1m2 of road per 1m2 of gross floor area, and the tons of material needed for road constructions and buildings could achieve in many cases the same proportion of 1:1. Finally, the compact city promotes interaction between citizens and uses, not only as neighbors but at a bigger scale, sharing facilities, amenities and public spaces”

LIVABILITY COMPARED The density of a city is always intertwined with its livability, too much or too little (in the case of Riga) and it goes down. According to EC Europa,13 it is defined as a measurement in quality of life – further defined in 7 sub-categories: 1. Satisfied to live in the city; 2. A safe and inclusive city; 3. Getting a job, finding a house, and earning a living; 4. Moving around in the city; 5. Culture, squares, parks, and health care in the city; 6. Healthy cities; 7. Quality of local public administration Here, Riga is compared to other northern European capital cities (Copenhagen; Amsterdam; Stockholm; Tallinn; Vilnius) based on the EC Europa Quality of life survey, 2019

STATEMENT

A good functioning city must use its spaces, not fence them off forever waiting for the 'grand design'. Unbuilt spaces are not a bad by themselves, just leaving them unused degrades the city overall. A livable Riga is walkable, has less cars and more space for people and activities. It has communal and shared spaces where we can experiment with shaping the city we want to live in. Spaces of permanent temporarily go hand in hand with permanent interventions. In shaping the livable Riga all parties can participate - framework coming from the municipality enables freedom for private owners and communities to take part

TOOLS FOR LIVABILITY Balance street space Pedestrian oriented development

Superblock: Local traffic and delivery

Add green and biodiversity

Pedestrianize streets

Shared space Pedestrian oriented development

Remove parking Make use of open spaces in the closed urban block

Create sitting pockets

Reduced lane width

Defined and undefined spaces Densify and diversify with functions Cluster parking Prioritize car sharing

Top down methods give way for bottom up approach

30 Traffic calming Bike priority Cycling street

Car free city center

15 minute city Traffic reorganization: No dirrect connections within the block

Spaces of permanent temporarity Spaces for changing interventions

Void toolbox catalouge

Pedestrianize crossings

VOID FUNCTION TOOLBOX Full and detailed catalogue at the end of this presentation

Green Sport/Play Urban Culture

Full toolbox available at the end

Ai generated images further researching the function toolbox 86

CONNECTION TO AMSTERDAM

"Climbing frames, arches, igloos, tumbling bars, jumping stones, and climbing walls all found their way into unsightly wastelands and boring squares thanks to the visionary help of architect Aldo van Eyck, who transformed urban spaces in Amsterdam into more than 700 playgrounds between 1947 and 1978. Beyond the sites' spatial designs, van Eyck also developed a whole series of sandpits, climbing frames, and other equipment in his radical, charming recreation of the city into a space for play. "

Image and text: Aldo Van Eyck: The Playgrounds and the City, google books 88

NOT ONLY A DREAM

This is not only a utopian dream for Riga either. There are real success stories form the city that proove that occupying voids of the city is possible with enough will power.

Image: Sporta pils dārzi 90

Sporta pils dārzi 91

Tallinas ielas kvartals 92

Sporta quarter 93

ĢERTRŪDES SUPERBLOCK A snapshot of a dream: Applying top down and bottom up tools as well as implementing the function toolbox.

Adapting voids on a local, neighborhood scale to increase livability.

R RT ĢE ES ŪD LA

IE old Stock Pot

When adding functionality to the urban fabric, one has to look at it on a neighborhood scale to see the bigger picture and prevent repetition.

Balance street space Pedestrian oriented develop

Balance street space destrian oriented development

Superblock: Local traffic and delivery Balance street Addspace green and biodiversity Pedestrian oriented development

Shared space Pedestrian oriented development

Pedestrianize streets

Remove parking Shared space Create sitting pockets Superblock: Pedestrian oriented Local traffic and delivery development

Reduced lane width

Add green and biodiversity

Defined and undefined spaces Make use ofstreets open spacesShared space pockets Pedestrianize Densify and Create diversifysitting with functions Balance street space in the closed urban block Pedestrian oriented Pedestrian oriented development development Cluster parking Top down methods Prioritize car sharing give way for bottom up approach Remove parking

Reduced lane width 15 minute city

Reduced lane width

Car free city center

Traffic calming and undefined spaces Bike priority DefinedSuperblock: Balance street space Traffic calming Make use of open spaces Densify and withdelivery functions Traffic reorganization: Pedestrian oriented developmentCreate sitting pockets Localdiversify traffic and Cycling street Shared space Add green and biodiversity Pedestrianize streets Bike priority in the closed urban block Spaces of permanent temporarity No dirrect connections Void toolbox Pedestrian oriented Cycling street Car free city center within Cluster the block catalouge developmentSpaces for changing interventions parking Top down methods Car free city center Prioritize car sharing give way for bottom up

nent temporarity Traffic reorganization: Pedestrianize ging interventions No dirrect connections crossings within the block

approach 15 minute city Superblock: Local traffic and delivery Make use of open spaces Void toolbox in the closed urban block catalouge

Remove parking

Reduced lane width

Shared space Create sitting pockets Add green and biodiversity Pedestrianize streets Defined and undefined spaces Traffic calming Pedestrian oriented Densify and withtemporarity functions Spaces ofdiversify permanent Bike priority development Pedestrianize Spaces for changing interventions Cycling street crossings Cluster parking Top down methods Car free city center Prioritize car sharing give way for bottom up approach Remove parking Reduced lane width

15 minute city Defined and undefined spaces Make use of open spaces Densify and diversify with functions in the closed urban block Traffic reorganization: No dirrect connections Void toolbox Top down methods within the block catalouge give way for bottom up approach 15 minute city

Spaces of permanent temporarity Cluster parking Car free city center Spaces for changing interventions Prioritize car sharing

Traffic calming Bike priority Cycling street Pedestrianize crossings

Ped cro

and d delivery delivery

nenspaces spaces an banblock block

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Balance Balancestreet streetspace space Pedestrian Pedestrianoriented orienteddevelopment development

Add Addgreen greenand andbiodiversity biodiversity Pedestrianize Pedestrianizestreets streets

Remove Removeparking parking

Shared Sharedspace space Create Createsitting sittingpockets pockets Pedestrian Pedestrianoriented oriented development development

Reduced Reducedlane lanewidth width

Defined Definedand andundefined undefinedspaces spaces Densify Densifyand anddiversify diversifywith withfunctions functions Top Topdown downmethods methods give giveway wayfor forbottom bottomupup approach approach

Cluster Clusterparking parking Carfree freecity citycenter center Prioritize Prioritizecar carsharing sharing Car

30 30 Traffic Trafficcalming calming Bike Bikepriority priority Cycling Cyclingstreet street

1515minute minutecity city

Void Voidtoolbox toolbox catalouge catalouge

Spaces Spacesofofpermanent permanenttemporarity temporarity Spaces Spacesfor forchanging changinginterventions interventions

Pedestrianize Pedestrianize crossings crossings

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Balancestreet streetspace space Balance street space Balance Pedestrianoriented orienteddevelopment development Pedestrian oriented development Pedestrian

Superblock: Superblock: Localtraffic trafficAdd andgreen delivery Addgreen green andbiodiversity biodiversity nd deliveryLocal and delivery and biodiversity Add and Pedestrianize streets

Pedestrianize streets Shared space Pedestrianize streets Pedestrian oriented development

Shared space Createsitting sittingpockets pockets Shared space Create sitting pockets Create Pedestrianoriented oriented Pedestrian development development

Removelane parking Remove parking Reduced width

Remove parking

Definedand andundefined undefinedspaces spaces Defined and undefined spaces Defined Makeuse useof ofopen open spaces en spacesMake Densify anddiversify diversifywith withfunctions functions Densifyspaces and diversify withDensify functions and inthe theclosed closedurban urbanblock block ban blockin

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Topdown downmethods methods Cluster parking Top down methods Top Prioritize car sharing giveway wayfor forbottom bottomup up give way for bottom up give approach approach approach 15 minute city

15minute minutecity city 15 102

Trafficreorganization: reorganization: Traffic

Clusterparking parking Cluster Car free city Prioritizecar carcenter sharing Prioritize sharing

Reducedlane lanewidth width Reduced Traffic calming Bike priority Cycling street Carfree freecity citycenter center Car

30 Trafficcalming calming Traffic Bikepriority priority Bike Cyclingstreet street Cycling

103

104

development

Remove parking

oriented development Balance street Pedestrian space Pedestrian oriented development

Reduced lane width

ined spaces Traffic calming fy with functions Superblock: Bike priority Local traffic and delivery Superblock: Shared space sitting pockets ck: Add green and biodiversityCycling Pedestrianize streets street BalanceCreate street space Local traffic and delivery Pedestrian oriented fic and delivery Cluster parking AddPedestrian greenpockets andoriented biodiversity Shared space Pedestrianize streets Create sitting Add green and biodiversity Pedestrianize streets development Car free city center development Balance street space Pedestrian oriented Prioritize car sharing p Pedestrian oriented development development

Remove parking Reduced lane width Reduced lane width

Remove parking Remove parking Defined and undefined spaces Superblock: Traffic calming Spaces of permanent temporarity Make use of open spaces Void toolbox Densify and diversify with functions Defined and undefined Defined and undefined spaces Local traffic and delivery Shared space spaces Add Pedestrianize green and biodiversity Pedestrianize streets BikeCreate prioritysitting pockets Spaces for changing interventions in the closed urban block Traffic calming Superblock: of open spaces catalouge Densify and diversify oriented with functions crossingsMake use of open spaces Densify and diversify with functions Pedestrian Cycling street Bike priority Local traffic and delivery in the closed urbanPedestrianize block d urban block Shared space Create sitting pockets Add green and biodiversity streets development Cluster parking Cycling street Top down methods Pedestrian oriented Car free city center Prioritize car sharing Cluster parking Cluster parking Top down methods development Top down methods give way for bottom up Car free city center Prioritize car shar Prioritize car sharing give way for bottom up give way for bottom approach up approach Remove parking

approach 15 minute city

Reduced lane width

Remove parking Reduced lane width 15 minute city 15 minute city Defined and undefined spaces Traffic reorganization: Make use of open spaces Densify and diversify Balance street spacewith functions Defined undefined spacesSpaces of permanent temporarity No dirrect connections in the closed urban block Traffic reorganization: ganization: Voidand toolbox Pedestrian oriented development Pedestrianize Make use of open spaces Spaces for changing interventions Densify and diversify with functions within the block Spaces permanent temporarity No of dirrect connections connections catalouge Void toolbox Void toolbox crossings Pedestrianize in the closed urban block Cluster parking within the block Spaces for changing interventions Top down methods lock catalouge catalouge Car free city center Prioritize crossings car sharing give way for bottom up Cluster parking Top down methods Car free city center approach Prioritize car sharing give way for bottom up

Traffic calming Bike priority Traffic street calming Cycling Spaces of perm Bike priority Spaces for chan Cycling street

approach 15 minute city

TrafficPedestrianize reorganization: d green and biodiversity streets No dirrect connections Traffic reorganization: within the block No dirrect connections within the block

ed and undefined spaces

30 30

Remove parking

15 minute city Shared space Create sitting pockets Spaces of permanent temporarity Pedestrian oriented Void toolbox Spaces for changing interventions development catalouge Spaces of permanent temporarity Void toolbox Spaces for changing interventions catalouge

Reduced lane width 105

Pedestrianize crossings Pedestrianize crossings

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3-3 ISO detail 3

ISO detail 4

1-1

ISO detail 2

ISO detail 1

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DRAWINGS, VISUALS AND DETAILS

Z BA

S DE

AS ĪC

ĢERTRŪDES CHURCH DETAIL

R RT ĢE

IE LA

Ģertrūdes old church is surrounded by street parking and acts as a center for an unnecessary roundabout, busy with people looking to park, even though there is a multi story car park right there.

AS ĪC

Z BA

old Stock Pot

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112

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O SK

S LA

old Stock Pot

Ū L IE

R RT ĢE AS ĪC

ZN BA

AS ĪC

LA IE

Ū R RT ĢE

LA Z BA

LA IE S DE

IE S DE

ĪB ĪV BR LA IE

SECTION 1-1

1-1

Skolas parking street turned into cycling street. The old bike path gives its space to pedestrians and extra functions on the sidewalk. Removed parking allows for an extra green layer - trees and planting.

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KKC CULTURAL HOT-SPOT DETAIL The energy KKC cultural center is a popualr place in the neighbourhood. It already has an active comunity and could take over the void beside it - adding a large covered area for events.

AS L O SK

KKC

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121

ŪD

R RT

ĢE

S LA

O SK

old Stock Pot

KKC

ŠA LĒ

ČP LĀ LA

IE 123

SECTION 2-2 Useless parking street, with a very popular Asian food place, nice trees and potential for at least 100m of car free zone.

2-2

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SECTION 3-3 Hanzas street large void connecting to K. Valdemāra street

3-3

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MARKET CORNER DETAIL Valdemāra street market corner is connected with hanzas void large garden area and ģertrūdes street food zone.

ĪL

EM IĻ

M A LA

IE A ĀR

IEL

Stock Pot

R RT

ĢE

D AL V .

S DE

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A ĪL EM

A IĻ GA N EL M

LA IE

M DE

S DE

R RT

ĢE

Stock Pot

AL .V

IEL

A A ĀR

L IE

A ĀR

KIMMEL QUARTER DETAIL The latest news from the current owner are that the office complex that was set to begin construction in 2023 will not be realised. So we can only wonder when the whole block will change ownership again or find new investors. But its clear that the plot will remain vacant for the forseeable future. Its a perfect location for culture and temporary structures.

AB ST U LA

IE 135

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Local House

A ĀR

Local House

L VA K.

AB ST LA IE O

S LA

CONCLUSION The city needs to live for it to be lived in. This project aims to build enthusiasm and explore the possible outcomes of acting now. Instead of waiting for the large interventions to take place before investing or removing cars from the city center or making it more pedestrian/cyclist friendly or adding the functions the drive people away from the city. Theese changes will not happen by themselves, the city must step in and work together with land owners in creating livable and diverse neighbourhoods. And after all - not all plots are destined to be built up - open spaces in the urban fabric are a welcome break in the busy city life.

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VOID FUNCTION TOOLBOX There is more to what makes a city than economics and business conditions alone. The human being is a social and emotional creature - it is in our nature and it is up to the city to provide. Therefore, one must ask – what qualities should the city strive for to make Riga a better place to live in, and can this be done quickly and effectively? There certainly is space for it, but why aren’t they occupied? Recently, there have been a quite few successful examples of temporary urbanism tactics applied to vacant or poorly used squares courtyards and buildings positively bringing a city buzz to itself and enriching the urban environment around it

A chance for a livable cityscape

143

SITUATION As is the faith of many voids in Riga. The building that was once there has been demolished. Grand plans have been made for new residential or office blocks. And the space stands unused and fenced off for 10+ years. There is no law to prevent this as there is no department responsible. The space and inhabitants can only hope for a NGO initiative, which still has to be profitable (or subsidized) to exist.

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PARKING

Actual functionality is often limited by the imagination of the owner, therefore reduced to parking.

145

SPORT Who is it for? This is a public function, directly accessible to the local residents/ workers as well as anyone who comes by.

Who pays for it? A public function that is in no way profitable should be (co)funded by the municipality even on private voids

minimum duration : 3 years

146

PLAY Play function

Who is it for? This is a public function, directly accessible to the local residents/ workers as well as anyone who comes by. Providing a safe play space within the urban fabric.

Who pays for it? A public function that is in no way profitable should be (co)funded by the municipality even on private voids

minimum duration : 3 years

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SKATE Extreme sport

Who is it for? Aimed at the younger generation. This is a public function, directly accessible to the local residents/workers as well as anyone who comes by.

Who pays for it? A public function that is in no way profitable should be (co)funded by the municipality even on private voids. As a niche sport this void could serve as a playground for park building community.

minimum duration : 5 years

148

ICE-SKATE Winter sports in the city Who is it for? Seasonal function with minimal effort.

Who pays for it? ---

minimum duration : 1 season

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PIZZA Outdoor pizza just tastes better Who is it for? Pop up restaurant for pizza lovers. A great central location can already be used without waiting for the built volume and high rent commercial ground floor.

Who pays for it? A cheap rental price limited by the municipality to boost economic activity in voids.

minimum duration : 1 year

150

MARKET Market and food production Who is it for? Urban market delivers fresh produce right in the heart of the neighborhood.

Who pays for it? Two possibilities here: 1) a space for the community to grow, make and sell, where profitability is not the goal - should have funding. 2) a profit driven temporary market space with an NGO or an investor behind it.

minimum duration : 5-10 years

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DOG YARD Off leash play yard Who is it for? A green safe space for dogs, their owners making dog ownership in the city easier and welcoming new pets in the area.

Who pays for it? A public function that is in no way profitable should be (co)funded by the municipality even on private voids. A relatively cheap and effective way of occupying a void. Local crowd funding would also be possible.

minimum duration : 1 year

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PARK Market and food production Who is it for? Accessible green pockets directly improving quality of life in the neighborhood.

Who pays for it? The space could be defined as semipublic or even semi-private. Therefore can be seen as local community initiative. co-funded by owner and municipality to alter degrading space.

minimum duration : 5-10 years

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PUBLIC GRILL Public picnic zone Who is it for? A democratic space gives city dwellers the chance to light a fire and grill right in their neighborhood. The space works in all seasons.

minimum duration : 1 year

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CITY GARDENS Grow your own food

Who is it for? People of the city, craving to grow something of their own and on a bigger scale than their balcony without having to go far. Occupy only one box or more, the choice is yours.

Who pays for it? Garden boxes are rented for a small fee, this money goes to maintaining the area.

minimum duration : 3 years

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CITY GREENHOUSES Food production on a local level.

Who is it for? Urban greenhouses, rented out to those interested. Live in the city center but have your own greenhouse.

Who pays for it? Greenhouses are rented for a small fee, this money goes to maintaining the area.

minimum duration : 2 years

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CITY ORCHARD Apples / pears / strawberries

Who is it for? Apple trees, dozens of strawberries, raspberries, huckleberries and more. By using huge planter boxes to grow the trees, Transforming the space from cement and gravel to urban oasis, without having to use a jackhammer. The orchard remains “mobile,” so that in future years, the planter boxes can be moved to different locations.

Who pays for it? The municipality or land owner. Orchard can be free or the fruit can be sold for a small profit

minimum duration : 2 years

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URBAN BIRCH SAP Latvian countryside feeling

Who is it for? An idea to normalize drinking birch sap by bringing a mobile birch grove into the city. Neighborhood locals can now feel like at their grandparents country house.

Who pays for it? The municipality or land owner. One tree can be rented out by one person or the sap can be sold for a small profit.

minimum duration : 2 years

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AIR-PRODUCTION Voids for air quality improvement

Who is it for? Central Riga is struggling to improve air quality the past years with diesel cars and lack of green playing against it. Voids occupied by Air cleaning greenery directly improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

Who pays for it? To be part of a larger vision - planed and paid for by municipality

minimum duration : 5-10 years

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CITY BEES Urban bees and pollination

Who is it for? A chance to take care of bees within the city, buy local honey, raise environmental awareness. Nectar flowers and shrubs also planted (planters)

Who pays for it? Social initiative, also, urban honey is more and more valuable as time goes on.

minimum duration : 2 years

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THE URBAN SWIM Raising eco awareness

Who is it for? Hybridizing natural and man-made process. Giving the neighborhood a swim pond and raising eco-awareness by purifying the water with plants. The plants also give cover.

Who pays for it? To be part of a larger vision - planed and paid for by municipality

minimum duration : 5 years

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SAUNA Wellness function

Who is it for? Locals no longer have to take a weekend trip to the countryside to be able to relax in a sauna. Everybody loves Ziedlejas but its a far drive.

Who pays for it? Temporary wellness function paid for by land owner or renter.

minimum duration : 3 years

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CULTURE Culture and hang out area. Who is it for? Semi public area providing event space for the neighborhood. For locals as well as visitors. Can serve as an independent cultural “pocket“ or rather as a seasonal extension to existing cultural by standing function (easy in terms of management) Who pays for it? Void can be temporarily rented to the by standing cultural establishment with an emphasis on public function. Profit and nonprofit(cultural funding?) Directions possible.

minimum duration : 1 year

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BALLET A large, covered stage Who is it for? Semi public area providing event/learning space for the neighborhood on a more serious level.

Who pays for it? Cultural temporary structure paid by the ministry of culture or private investor

minimum duration : 5 years

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MEDITATION SPACE A break from the city noise

Who is it for? Semi-private function, anonymously accessible to the local residents/ workers as well as anyone who comes by. Providing a safe, calm space within the urban fabric.

Who pays for it? Someone...

minimum duration : 3 years

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ENERGYPRODUCTION Voids for energy independence Who is it for? Transportable energy production, uses the city’s voids to increase the surrounding block’s energy independence. Does not add to livability directly.

Who pays for it? In a dystopian reality. To be part of a larger vision - planed and paid for by municipality If energy prices skyrocket this is a valid investment for temporary use.

minimum duration : 5 years

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WORKSPACES Voids for a robotic future Who is it for? Semi-private function contributing to a mixed use urban fabric.

Who pays for it? A worthwhile research/workspace paid by the community that runs it.

minimum duration : 5 years

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SHELTER Temporary structures Who is it for? Voids to help with the increasing demand for refugee shelter. Located within the city center for integration.

Who pays for it? Municipality.

minimum duration : 2 years

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(53375–05-06). Official Statistics Portal. https://stat.gov.lv/en/statisticsthemes/population/population-number Quality of life in European cities. (2020). Regional Policy - European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/maps/ quality_of_life/ Quality of Life Survey: top 25 cities, 2019 - Film. (2020). Monocle. https:// monocle.com/film/affairs/quality-of-life-survey-top-25-cities-2019/ Rail Baltica. (2017, July 13). Rail Baltica. https://www.railbaltica.org/ Reconstruction of the building complex Preses Nams project. (2020, February 25). Citrus Solutions. https://www.citrus.lv/en/projects/design/ reconstruction-building-complex-preses-nams-project/ Rīgas domes Īpašuma departaments. (2021). Rīgas domes Īpašuma departaments. https://grausti.riga.lv/

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Miks Berzins Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam - Riga 2023 contact: miks.berzins@outlook.com

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