Average construction in Riga – just over a million; meanwhile, the center is falling apart 0 4

One of the characteristic processes for the capital is the continuous obsolescence of the housing stock, nearly twice that of new real estate being introduced. For example, in 2024, according to the State Construction Control Bureau, 641 buildings were commissioned in the municipality, totaling 659.79 million euros. This means that construction averaged just over 1 million.

Of this number, 50.3% are new buildings; 35% are reconstructions; 10% are demolitions. The lion's share of constructions is carried out by individuals – 60%, and legal entities – 40%. This already indicates a high proportion of low-rise cottage construction.

The same applies geographically. "Territorially, restoration and renovation projects dominate in the central part of the city, while further from the center, there are more new construction projects, especially mansions..." the magistrate's document states.

Against this backdrop, Riga has recorded 1,181 buildings classified as "degrading the environment" (a decrease of about 4% over the year). Among them:

• 269 ruins of category A – completely or partially destroyed buildings that threaten human life;
• 718 ruins of category B – objects in potentially hazardous technical condition;
• 167 ruins of category C – buildings whose maintenance does not comply with the mandatory rules of the Riga City Council;
• 453 houses in the "assessed" category.

"The largest proportion of buildings causing environmental degradation is located in the central part of the city; however, in smaller numbers, they are evenly distributed across all developed areas," the planning document comments.