Landscape preference in relation to human perception of landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities analysed in different studies. The importance of both qualities is highlighted especially for urban green spaces, where the enhancement of environment quality in conjunction with providing high level aesthetics is becoming a topical issue. This paper analyses seven planting types in urban green spaces in accordance with six landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities. Therefore the aim of this research is to investigate which planting type inhabitants and tourists from four Latvian cities prefer more. Planting types were evaluated according to landscape ecological and aesthetic qualities – attractiveness, naturalness, neatness, necessity of care, wilderness and safety. The method of image simulations of the different planting type alternatives was used. The research results showed a correlation between the landscape preference and respondent`s gender, level of education and place of residence. The research did not display differences in landscape preference in terms of specific regional characteristics of the four selected cities. Results of this research could be used in the decision-making process for development of new and revitalization of current green spaces in the researched cities.

Health resorts have been important landscape identity elements and economy drivers in European cities since the beginning of their development. The sea coastal area in Latvia is rich in sulphur springs that have been used for health procedures since 19th century. Kemeri resort in Jurmala City is known as a unique place that got its name from the forester house Kemeres where the first health procedures were performed by using sulphur spring mud. In 1836 Kemeri was declared as a resort and became known in the whole Russian Empire and later also in the Soviet Union. Significant landscape changes occurred after Latvia regained its independence in 1990, when the ownership of the land changed from the state to the private. Affected by disagreements between the new owners, lack of private and state investments, decrease of visitors from former Soviet Republics, insufficient capacity for competing with European resorts, the resorts in Latvia often became abandoned and forgotten. Historically valuable buildings and parks of the resorts were degraded, the number of inhabitants and visitors decreased. Today the regional government has found opportunities for re-development of Kemeri resort by searching for a new identity and re-branding the place. Re-branding has been used to enhance attractiveness of the place and increase economic benefits. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify historic heritage values suitable for re-branding of the place and to analyse a potential development of the resort Kemeri. Assessment part of the article is based on historic heritage study by comparing historic and modern photography, field surveys to identify historic heritage values of the place and their influence on possible development scenarios. Historic heritage values were identified according to the Historicity and authenticity; Aesthetic quality and integrity; Social meaning. The other parts of the article are addressed to re-branding of the place that includes involvement of identified historic heritage values into the new identity to enhance functionality, recognisability and attractiveness of the resort Kemeri.

In recent years, global research in spatial planning has focused on the sustainable development of green infrastructure (GI) in order to reduce the consequences of urbanization processes on the ecological, socio-economic and visual quality of the environment. Problems with stormwater management, floods, storms and global warming in general are just some of the reasons why GI planning has gained popularity. According to other current strategies (EU Biodiversity Strategy, EU GI strategy, Green Deal initiatives, etc.), GI plans, which include social, economic and ecological aspects, are being developed for territories of different scales. Until recently, green infrastructure was just an added value to real estate, but today it plays a completely different, much more important role. In Europe, the GI planning process has already begun, with several European countries developing GI plans in urban environment, different scales across country and even at national level. Depending on the scale chosen, the principles of GI planning differ. In European examples, GI is considered in large-scale regional landscapes, where the green network and connections are formed from natural areas, but at the urban scale, the creation of GI goes hand in hand with the creation of a green network in the city, connecting the largest green areas with each other (squares, parks, urban forests, etc.). However, in the scientific literature, the basic principles and the correlation of GI planning at different scales have not been widely studied and analyzed. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to define the main principles in the planning of GI in Latvia using a three-level approach. Each level corresponds to a specific scale of the territory, starting with the regional scale, moving to rural and urbanized areas and concluding with the site scale. Each lower level is subordinated to the highest, thus forming a single GI planning system. At each level, GI key planning principles and prerequisites to be considered are defined. The town of Aizpute, its neighboring villages and rural areas in Latvia were chosen as a case study territory for the article. Article discusses the planning of GI in the context of three levels and also the different approaches of GI planning in the rural and urban landscape.

Over time, street landscapes have changed their meaning, from significant gathering, socializing and movement places they have become intense traffic corridors dominated by street transport. Today, however, more and more people are once again beginning to identify streets as more than just corridors for movement and transport, but also as important multifunctional outdoor spaces. Social habits have also changed as the needs for a healthy and safe environment have increased, and people are increasingly choosing environmentally friendly ways of moving, active lifestyles, being outdoors, in nature. The implementation of the needs of modern society on the streets of the historic city centres is complex, influenced by a number of factors: the historical identity of the place, the historic character and elements of the streetscape that are often protected by legal acts; the needs and interests of various interested parties, including accessibility of the streetscape for people with disabilities; the growing need to solve problems of climate in cities – mitigation of heat islands, air pollution, flooding caused by intensive rainfalls, which is complicated by the lack of green areas in the historic city centre. In order to develop the most appropriate solutions for the development of historic streets, it is necessary to identify all the limiting and promotive aspects. The purpose of this study is to develop and to test the methodological framework for the research of historical streetscape as the basis for the development of public space compliant with modern requirements, by performing streetscape analysis based on public needs, historical, ecological and socioeconomic criteria. The developed methodology has been tested in the context of Terbatas Street in Riga city, Latvia. Key results from the study showed that for historic streets it is essential to identify those elements of the streetscape that can be transformed and adapted to modern requirements and societal needs, and those elements that are essential to preserve in order to maintain the historical character and identity of the place. As one of the main conclusions of the study – the overall development strategy of the historic city centre plays an important role in research and development of historic streetscape, which includes both mobility, green infrastructure, public space network, tourism development, as well as functional and ecological links with other parts of the city.

Landscape variability due to anthropogenic pressure poses a risk to the existence of valuable and unique landscapes. It once became the reason for raising the issue of landscape protection in Europe, paying special attention to landscapes of national importance by giving them a special status. In European practice, the granting of the status of a landscape of national importance to certain territories is based on a long tradition. In England and Scotland, it was started in 1949, separating nature protection and landscape protection directly into laws and regulations, and also later by identifying and mapping the country's most important landscapes, developing guidelines for landscape protection, planning and management, and setting up national landscape protection institutions. Later, in 1992, Finland also granted a special status to its particularly important landscapes. In general, this establishing method is similar to the UK experience. The experience of France, on the other hand, is based on exploiting the potential of the landscape for tourism, by branding specific landscapes and linking them in a single network. The traditions of European countries in identifying and managing landscapes of national importance are different, but they are mainly based on the desire of each country to highlight and preserve its special and important landscapes both as real territories and as symbols of national identity. This article analyses the understanding of national landscapes, comparing the examples of individual European countries, as well as the experience of Latvia, with the aim to determine the best basis and method for Latvia to identify, protect and manage national landscapes.

European countries have different experience in landscape characterisation and assessment. Comparing the different approaches used in different European countries, it is proposed to use the method developed and validated in the United Kingdom - Landscape Character Assessment, adapted and modified for the Latvian situation. This approach has also been used in most other European countries, which have chosen to use the UK approach to landscape characterisation, adapting it to their specific national situation. The need for a landscape assessment in Latvia is highlighted in the Latvian Landscape Policy Guidelines 2013-2019 and Latvian Landscape Policy Implementation Plan 2024-2027, taking into account the actions set out in the European Landscape Convention to be taken by all Parties to the Convention. The purpose of the research was to carry out the analysis of Latvian landscape sensitivity within spatial planning scenarios important for local municipalities. It is of high importance to assess landscape sensitivity for changes of build and natural environment influencing pace and scale of development of the rural areas of Latvia. As local municipalities set different goals for their spatial development, common spatial development scenarios were chosen to make analysis of landscape sensitivity in Latvian landscapes. Results from the analysis of landscape sensitivity show variation of suitable actions to be implemented if different places in Latvia. The results also can be used for defining landscape quality goals to harmonise scope of activities to be implemented by local municipalities of Latvia.