1. Implementation of the European Landscape Convention in local municipalities: reality and future challenges in Latvia
Brno, 2017

2. Basis
In order to identify and plan the necessary measures and define the competences of the parties involved in the implementation of the ELC, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (hereinafter - MEPRD) elaborated the Landscape Policy Strategy (approved by the government 2013)

3. Process
A working group that includes representatives from ministries, planning regions, as well as universities and NGOs was established 119 Latvian municipalities in this working group were represented by the advisor of Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments

4. Discussions
A question of landscape planning in the municipalities - is it mandatory or not?
A consultations within municipalities
Compromise –the final decision about the necessity of landscape planning is made by the municipality because the professional and financial capacity of municipalities differs substantially

5. Evaluation of Strategy
This year a first middle-term evaluation of Strategy and a report was carried out by MEPRD Report includes information related on implementation of priorities of Strategy and implementation of ELC in local municipalities as well

6. Activities in local municipalities
A lot of practical activities on implementation of ELC such as site greening, joint landscaping, competitions the most trusted house and others - mostly planned and implemented in the short or medium term up to 7 years
A long term challenge over 7 years -
landscape planning in spatial development documents:
Spatial Development Strategies
Territorial plans
Development programs

7. Spatial Development Strategies
The importance and value of landscapes have been described by about 80% of local municipalities
There is a tendency that the municipalities near the capital describes value of landscapes less frequently than the average of all Latvian municipalities

8. Territorial plans
More than 90% of the Territorial plans includes general conditions for the preservation of landscapes
but only 50% of these plans have spatially defined valuable landscapes with specific conditions

9. Thematic plans
Some municipalities have developed thematic landscape plans that serve as the basis for developing other planning documents

10. Development programs
Almost all Development programs of municipalities includes tasks or activities which are related to landscapes These programs do not mention the preservation or development of landscapes directly, but includes tasks and measures promoting the preservation and development of landscapes, such as improvement of public space, revitalization of brownfields or establishments of a Landscape architect's vacancy

11. Initiatives across the borders of municipalities
National and regional initiatives across the borders of municipalities are very important:
a national selection for Landscape Award of CoE
identification of landscape treasures in cooperation with the general public

12. Landscape Award of CoE
4 national selection Number of nominees doubled on 2016 The Daugavpils Fortress Regeneration Project is rated by the international jury as the best project of the 5th Session of Landscape Award of CoE

13. Daugavpils Fortress

14. Identification of landscape treasures
Due to the 100th anniversary of Latvia MEPRD has developed a concept for a public campaign on identification of treasured landscape values: - every citizen was able submit a proposal on a valuable landscape in their area in the initial phase of campaign – we received more than 1000 proposals - experts selected 243 of 1000 applications that were submitted for electronic voting on the National Library homepage - votes will be summarized and a dedicated board of landscape experts will develop a list of 10 treasured landscape values for each of 5 Planning regions in two month

15. Map for voting www.ainavudargumi.lv

16. Results of campaign
Electronic storage in National Library which will be named “Treasured landscape values of Latvia – yesterday, today and tomorrow” - base for collection of stories, memories, historical photos A mobile exhibition with historical and contemporary photos and descriptions of 50 treasured landscape values Regional discussions on value and importance of landscapes Regional selection of landscapes Award in each Planning region

17. Contribution of campaign
We hope that these activities will be a good stimulus for local municipalities: - to include the values of the landscape set by the society in their development planning documents - to develop necessary measures to save these landscape values

18. Thank you very much for your attention!