President Edgars Rinkēvičs proclaimed the law on the preservation and protection of the Old Town of Kuldiga, adopted by the Saeima on February 12.
Different deadlines for the entry into force of various provisions of the law have been established until the beginning of 2029.
The law provides for a special management and oversight system for the historical center of Kuldiga, aimed at fostering cooperation between the state, local government, and society in the field of cultural heritage protection.
The Old Town of Kuldiga is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the law on the historical center of the city provides for the preservation, protection, development, and comprehensive management of this cultural and historical site.
The law establishes the territory of the Old Town and a 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 from 2029, there will be an obligation to insure real estate located in the Old Town.
With the adoption of the law, broader rights to participate in decisions regarding real estate in the Old Town area are provided for the local government of Kuldiga County. To prevent the destruction of cultural and historical buildings, the local government will be able to expropriate buildings that are maintained improperly.
The authors of the bill emphasize that the special law will strengthen Kuldiga's competitiveness as a cultural tourism destination, attract investments, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship while preserving the historical environment of the city.
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