Land use

In 1995 Riga City adopted a "New era" Official Plan that was developed with public participation and with regard for the free market and land ownership system.

The Plan designates the allowable use of land within the city limits. The distribution of land use within Riga's administrative border, (307 square kilometres), shows that the capital is planned a multifunctional city attractive for business, recreation and living.

From the aspect of function all city territory is divided into 11 different land use zones:

 Low-rise Residential

These take up 2866 hectares or 9.3% from total city area and height is limited to 3 stories (including mansard roof). In the new Official Plan all low-rise residential zones have been preserved and new areas have been suggested (approx. 450 hectares) to give opportunity for a variety of housing.

 Multi-storey Residential

These take up 1680 hectares or 5.4% of city territory. The present multi-storey zones can be divided into two different types - the buildings of the early 20th century, many of which have historic status and have special building regulations, and the Soviet type of large-panel high-rises.      

 Mixed residential and commercial

This zone takes up 972 hectares or approx. 3.2 % of city territory and it conforms to the city centre building type where between the multi-story residential buildings, with shops below, buildings with offices only can be found.

 Business and Commercial

These areas take up 830 hectares or approx. 2.7% of city area. These consist mainly of comparatively small parcels of land in the historic city centre and the future sub-centres. The use of these zones is multi-functional and here are included professional service offices, trade and financial firms, restaurants, nightclubs, etc.

 Public Institutions

This zone constitutes 1215 hectares or 4% of city territory and, with some exceptions, consists of non-profit organisation and institution offices. In this zone are located higher education and academic institute territories, health-care institutions, special education and cultural institutions, schools, professional schools, etc.

 Mixed Manufacturing

This zone takes up 557 hectares or 1.8% of city territory.

Examples from world city development show that when traditional manufacturing in city centre collapses new kinds of economic activities develop on city outskirts and along arterial roads. These tend to develop with ideas of ecologically sound manufacturing, transportation businesses, storage buildings, etc. These, at the same time, serve as various business institutions, e.g.: retail trade, service industries, banks, etc.

 Industrial Zones

The old industrial zones have been preserved, but their size has been diminished almost to half. In the Official Plan these constitute approximately 1022 hectares or 3.4% of city territory. These zones are taken up by existing industries, which have kept their viability, and here also can be found various repair shops, storage buildings and transportation businesses.

 Port Zone

According to the new Official Plan the port zone is 511 hectares or 1.7% of city territory and it is for the location of basic port functions.

 Technical Services Zones (Transportation, Power Lines, etc.)

These areas take up 1332 hectares or approx. 4.3% of city territory and are meant for transportation and engineering network corridors and their service areas, e. g.: railway, garages, public transportation depots, power stations and power lines, etc.

 Nature and Greenery

This zone takes up 11252 hectares or 36.6% of city territory. It consists of nature areas, nature protection zones, various forms of greenery - parks, gardens, squares, and other green areas.

The new Plan has increased the amount of land designated as greensands to include open areas, underdeveloped areas, watercourse banks and shores, partially also older allotment gardens, and other green areas.

 Highways, Arterial Roads and Streets

Highways, arterial roads and streets constitute 1750 hectares or 5.7% of city territory. Engineering networks, street greenery and boulevards are also included within this zone.