CONFERENCEThe environmental impact of urban shrinkage. A Case Study of Ventspils
Margarita Kairjaka
University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences
DOI: 10.22364/fg.16.11
Keywords: Ventspils, urban shrinkage, environmental quality, sustainable development
Abstract
This paper analyses the effect of shrinkage on the environment of the Old Town and the infrastructure of the city and the opinion of the officials about the development of the city. It was concluded that due to shrinkage, empty houses and perforated areas make abandoned blocks in the Old Town of Ventspils, resulting in segregation, i.e. the Old Town being mostly inhabited by the elderly, Romani people, hooligans, and drug addicts. The population decline has also affected the infrastructure of the city, yet the responsible institutions have not calculated the minimal capacity for the system to be efficient. The development strategy of Ventspils city is based on economic growth and fighting against shrinking instead of adapting to it, which is partially acknowledged by the interviews with officials.