Discussion Held on the Development of Sigulda’s Green Spaces and Recreation Areas

To create high-quality and sustainable infrastructure and public spaces in the municipality, the development of a thematic plan shaping Sigulda’s identity has been under way since 2018. On 13 February, a meeting of the thematic plan’s developers and residents was held at the Sigulda Devons Cultural Centre, providing information about the planned development of Sigulda’s green spaces and recreation areas. Last year, residents were already presented with the planned development of the transport infrastructure.

During the meeting, residents were introduced to the zoning and characteristics of recreation areas, the concept for their development, and general planning guidelines. The key principle is a unified environment accessible to everyone—within the Gauja National Park zone, the Sigulda town-centre zone, and residential development zones alike. Participants were also informed about the assessment of the city’s existing green spaces, the green-space plan and related guidelines, including the maintenance, creation and intensity of use of green spaces. During the discussion, those present shared comments and proposals that confirmed the need to develop recreation facilities and the landscaping of the area.

Overall, the thematic plan shaping Sigulda’s identity will comprise five sections: transport infrastructure; engineering communications; cultural and historical heritage; the use of architectural means of visual expression; and the development and management of recreation areas and green spaces. Each section contains graphic and visual materials, as well as explanations, which will be compiled in a single publicly accessible guidelines database and integrated into a unique three-dimensional spatial model of the city. In the future, this model will be available for use in the city’s ongoing planning process.

The final version of the thematic plan shaping Sigulda’s identity is scheduled to be submitted for public consultation this spring.

The thematic plan is being developed by SIA “MARK arhitekti”, engaging a broad team of experts with experience and knowledge in urban planning, street and road planning, architecture and landscape planning.