Architecture Policy Guidelines. 2009-2015
The objective of the architecture policy of Latvia is to create the necessary conditions for the creation and sustainability of qualitative living space based on architecture. The Guidelines were introduced in 2009 by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The National Architecture Council has been set up under the Ministry of Culture. It is an interdisciplinary body. In 2010 the Design and Architecture programme was established under the State Culture Capital Foundation to financially support design and architecture projects. An intersectoral working group is in process of reviewing the priorities of the Action Directions of the Guidelines. At present, Latvia is preparing for the International Venice Art Biennale in 2012. In 2011, the Ministry of Culture allocated EUR 10,791 to the Latvian Association of Architects.
Challenges identified in the implementation of this measure:
Intersectoral cooperation has been considerably reinfoced. The work has been started and is still in process to draw up the Law On the Quality of Architecture which is one of the priority tasks in implementing the Guidlines. The discussions are ongoing about the governance model of the architecture sector.
The impact has been partially investigated. Due to the elaboration of the Architecture Policy Guidlines, the awaraness has been raised in the society as regards the architecture, as well as the cooperation between the public sector and the civil society has been reinforced.