On Thursday, February 12, the Saeima adopted the law on the preservation and protection of the old town of Kuldīga in its final reading, which enshrines the preservation of the historical heritage of the old town at the legislative level.
At the same time, it provides for the protection of the status of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The old town of Kuldīga was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
The law establishes a special management and oversight system for the historical center of Kuldīga, which will also promote cooperation between the state, local government, and society in the field of cultural heritage protection, the Saeima press service reported.
The law defines the territory of the old town of Kuldīga and the protection zone covering 173.18 hectares. To preserve the historical environment in this area, restrictions on construction and reconstruction of buildings have been introduced, and starting from 2029, properties located in the old town will be required to insure these buildings.
The law also stipulates that the special status of these properties as cultural monuments within the World Heritage site must be reflected in the Land Register.
Broader rights to participate in real estate matters are provided for the local government of Kuldīga Municipality. To prevent the destruction of cultural and historical buildings, the local government will also be able to expropriate properties that are improperly maintained, neglected, or abandoned.
The law also establishes special requirements for the protection of the landscape of the old town and other elements of universal value of special significance, as well as stipulates requirements for assessing the impact on heritage.
The authors of the bill on the old town of Kuldīga emphasized in the annotation that the special law will enhance Kuldīga's competitiveness as a cultural tourism destination, attract investments, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship while preserving the city's authentic environment.
