Despite that, incorporation of the green open space could be considered as positive tendency in the City of Riga development, since 1995 during its operation there have been straight attempts to interpret the Official plan to suit economic interests. It should be highlighted that green areas under particular risk are those around the watercourses and in the city centre. Besides it some of greenery do not have owners or managers.

 CAUSES

1.Prevalence of the economic interests over environment issues
2.Because of urban expansion, the City has become the source of air pollution, as well as of wastewater and solid waste, which leads to the degradation of green areas and fresh waters within city.

3.The regulations specifying permitted uses and precisely defining boundaries of nature areas defined in the Official Plan are lacking.

4. Inflexibility of the tax policies to maintain the interest of land owners in nature conservation

5.Insufficient control over compliance with binding national and municipal laws and regulations

6.Absence of long-term action program for management, enhancement and development of green open space and its elements

7.Lack of a conceptual framework for greenery management in residential areas

8.Lack of future-oriented planning for the use of family gardens and fallow lands

9.Insufficient level of environmental education and awareness among the residents