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THE POTENTIAL URBAN OPEN SPACES IDENTIFICATION METHODOLOGY FOR THE STRATEGIC PLANNING IN NEIGHBORHOODS

Marita Cekule, Irina Baltmane

Abstract

In urban environment the local areas or neighborhoods are multidimensional phenomenon consisting of social, physical, political and economic aspects. The main goal of the neighborhood development is to create conditions for sustainable socio - economic and spatial policy implementation within the city administrative territory as well as to improve urban development planning and the quality of life. Population satisfaction with local public services such as open space is an important factor of sustainable spatial development of urban environment. Public open space accessibility contributes to the quality of life and well-being of people living in the cities. This paper presents selection, identification and evaluation methods of local potential public open spaces for further development in Riga City, Latvia. Such studies mainly use both qualitative and quantitative methods. Using residentпїЅs survey analysis and discussions in 8 neighborhoods were elaborated criteria for potential open spaces selection. The field surveys were used in the public open space load analysis and local services quality evaluation. The public services accessibility was analyzed using geographic information systems and spatial analysis functions such as buffering, selection, overlay and spatial statistics as well as Kernel density extension. The main results of the study are 27 criteria that were elaborated for identification of the potential public open spaces in neighborhoods. The study results highlighted the most valued spaces as well as the problem areas. 14 potential development spaces were identified using these criteria, for example, squares with children's playgrounds, promenades, walking trails, park for culture activities, bicycle path and eco-park. As well as guidelines for further development of each space, alternative assessment of the social, economic, spatial development and management interests, analysis of main risks, functional specialization of open spaces and development priorities of public open spaces were also elaborated. The main challenge of this study was regulations and planning documents analysis, because those are offline with the actual situation, because the laws and regulations prohibit activities in some spaces, although the current situation shows the opposite. As well as the fragmented ownership structure is new open spaces development disturbing factor. In the future, should be developed new models of cooperation between the various owners of public open space planning, development and maintenance.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2017/23/s11.093

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