Abstract
In Latvia, the concept of sustainability is only slowly gaining recognition. An analysis of Development Plans prepared by the four largest cities of Latvia indicates that sustainability is presented as one of the guiding principles. However, a comparison of Development Plan policies against the urban sustainability issues reveals a great deal of ambiguity and contradiction.
At the municipal level, planners and politicians lack indicators to gauge whether the long-term goals of Development Plans and the principles of sustainable development are being achieved. As a consequence, the broad public is deprived of the opportunity to assess for itself the process of development in relation to Development Plan policies, thus limiting accountability in development decision-making. Relevant statistical data collected on a regular basis are required to create sustainability indicators reflecting sustainability issues, to supplement and replace existing statistical compilations pertaining almost exclusively to economic growth and consumption. Development and utilisation of sustainability indicators can be an effective instrument for promoting the values of sustainable development amongst politicians, planners and the broad public and for enhancing accountability in decision-making.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: 2000a, Latvia's Regions in Figures. Statistical Bulletin, Riga, Latvia.
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: 2000b, Environmental Indicators in Latvia 1999. Statistical Bulletin, Riga, Latvia.
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: 2000c, Macroeconomic Portrait of Latvia's Regions. Statistical Bulletin, Riga, Latvia.
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: 2000d, Statistical Yearbook of Latvia 2000, Riga, Latvia.
Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia: 2000e, Riga in Figures 1999. Statistical Bulletin, Riga, Latvia.
Delft van, Y.: 1998, 'An introduction to indicators and monitoring', in Advanced Study Course on Indicators for Sustainable Urban Development. Proceedings of the Advanced Study Course, 5–12th July 1997, Delft, The Netherlands, International Institute for the Urban Environment, pp. 74–78.
Holmberg, J. and Karlsson, S.: 1995, 'On designing socio-ecological indicators', in J. Holmberg (ed.), Socio-Ecological Principles and Indicators for Sustainability, Institute of Physical Resource Theory, Goteborg.
HABITAT: 1996, An Urbanizing World: Global Report on Human Settlements, 1996, Oxford University Press.
HELCOM PITF: 1999, Transport Sector Investment Decision-Making in the Baltic Sea Region, Research and Development Project # 298 25 161, The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, New York.
Jelgava City Council: 1999, Jelgava Land Use Plan, Jelgava City Council, Jelgava, Latvia (in Latvian).
Jurmala City Council: 1995, Development Plan of Jurmala, Jurmala City Council, Jurmala, Latvia (in Latvian).
Law on Territory Development Planning: 1998, Latvijas Vestnesis 30.10.98, Nr.322/325 (in Latvian).
Ministry of Environmental Protection and RegionalDevelopment of the Republic of Latvia and Environmental Consulting and Monitoring Centre: 2000, Latvian State of the Environment Report' 98, Gandrs Ltd., Latvia.
Rezekne City Council: 1997, Development Plan of Rezekne, Rezekne City Council, Rezekne (in Latvian).
Riga City Council: 1995, City of Riga Official Plan (1995–2005), vol. I, Jana seta, Riga (in Latvian).
Schleicher-Tappeser, R. and Strati, F.: 1999, 'Sustainability – a newparadigm for research?', in M. Catizzone (ed.), From Ecosystem Research to Sustainable Development: Towards a New Paradigm for Ecosystem Research, Ecosystem Research Report No 26; European Commission, Directorate-General Science, Research and Development, Brussels, pp. 45–58.
White, R.R.: 1994, Urban Environmental Management: Environmental Change and Urban Design, John Wiley & Sons Ltd., England.
Whitelegg, J.: 1993, Transport for a Sustainable Future: The Case Study for Europe, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., England.
World Conservation Union, UN Environment Programme, World Wide Fund for Nature: 1991, Caring for the Earth. IUCP/UNEP/WWF, Gland.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abolina, K., Zilans, A. Evaluation of Urban Sustainability in Specific Sectors in Latvia. Environment, Development and Sustainability 4, 299–314 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021108324293
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021108324293