OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ON DEGRADED AREA MANAGEMENT IN LATVIA

Abstract

Abandoned and polluted land that appears during deindustrialization and urbanization is generally understood as a degraded area. During deindustrialization, the migration of industrial sectors leaves potentially polluted, unused land in the hands of local governments, so the transition to new economic models creates the right of people to move from urban centers to the outskirts of cities for a better quality of life, resulting in many properties in urban centers becoming dilapidated and abandoned. The existence of degraded territories is the most important challenge for city planners and policy makers in modern Latvia of territory development. Territories experiencing economic stagnation do not attract investment, their sustainable regeneration is still limited. To develop solutions for municipalities in the field of effective management of degraded areas, it is necessary to carry out research and analysis of the current situation in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current situation, as well as to determine potential scenarios for future action in revitalization process. In the study, the authors used the quantitative data analysis method ((analysis of indicators of projects for the revitalization of degraded areas), the analysis of theoretical literature sources and the qualitative data analysis method - expert interviews, the results of which are summarized in the SWOT matrix. As a result of the study, a model for the management of degraded territories was developed.