Latvian rural spaces and understanding the development of places in the context of shrinking

Armands Puzulis

Delta Company Ltd

Laila Kule

University of Latvia

DOI: 10.22364/fg.15.37

Keywords: shrinkage, rural development, regional policy, science-policy nexus

Abstract

Growth in the last decade was characterized by economic, social and spatial shrinking. This phenomenon is observed in many Western and post-Soviet countries, including Latvia. The aim of the study is to examine if and how the concept of population shrinkage is represented in Latvian rural areas. Theoretical concepts used in the study are based on a review of the literature. Empirical research is carried out in seven localities of the former Aluksne, Balvi and Gulbene districts in northeastern Latvia by interviewing local government employees and analysing statistical data and policy documents. The investigation results suggest that Latvian rural areas can be defined as typical shrinking areas. Spatial shrinking is wider concept that has impact on almost all Latvian places, both in rural and urban territories. This process requires a changes in attitude among decision-makers in both state and regional government. The scarcity and incompleteness of available data is reflective of the realities of regional policy implementation. Rural spatial development is connected to changes of economic, social and cultural linkages, rescaling, and socio-economic structural changes. Shrinkage processes have an impact on rural social capital. Shrinking requires the need for a set of innovative; knowledge-, evidence- and place-based; coordinated; pro-active; multi-disciplinary; spatial; economic and socially-targeted policy measures.