Introduction and analysis of brownfield situation in Latvia

Brownfields in Baltic States - Lifelong Educational Project CZ/08/LLP-LdV/TOI/134005

Introduction and analysis of brownfield situation in Latvia

Edmunds Teirumnieks Rēzeknes Augstskola

Latvia

„This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.“


Awareness

• Where is a difference between conception of brownfields in Latvia and other EU countries?

• What do we understand with brownfields in Latvia?

• What are characteristic examples of brownfields in Latvia like?


Goals of the teaching unit• To introduce of Latvia• To characterize brownfields in Latvia• To give examples of characteristic

brownfields in Latvia• To give examples of brownfields in

Rezekne


Content• Introduction

• Description the situation of Latvia’s brownfields

• Description of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated sites in Latvia

• Examples of characteristics brownfields in Latvia


Introduction• Latvia is a country in

Northern Europe in the Baltic region. The territory of Latvia covers 64,589 km² and has a temperate seasonal climate. Latvia is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic. The capital and largest city is Riga. Latvia is a member of the United Nations, of the European Union and of NATO.

• Latvia is divided into 109 local governments and 9 republican cities.


Brownfields in Latvia

In Latvia with term “brownfield” understood Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites which are:– Dumps of industrial waste; – Dumps of household waste; – The fuel priming station and oil bases; – Storages of hazardous chemicals and pesticides; – Forage complexes, piggeries, birds and cattle

farms; – Former military Soviet Union army territories;– Industrial and living houses sector derelicts etc.


Contaminated and Potentially Contaminated Sites register

The register of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated sites provide state agency “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Agency”.

In the register are registered 3563 places, from which:

242 are classified as contaminated places; 3321 - potentially contaminated places.


Brownfields location areas


Most polluted territories in Latvia

- The goudron lakes (ponds) in Incukalns- The liquid hazardous waste dump in

Olaine - The naval port canal in Liepaja - The liquid hazardous waste dump

„Kosmoss” in Jelgava- Former Rumbula airbase


The goudron lakes in Incukalns

source: EMC RTU

Contaminants:

oils, asphaltens, sulphate acids and sulphiric acid.

Place:

former sand careers. Area of the created contamination is ca. 130 ha.


Former Rumbula airbase

source: EMC RTU

There was airbase of the military aviation from 1954 till 1978. Pollutant - aviation fuel. The total polluted area is 100 800 m2.


Examples of Industrial derelicts

Former industrial buildings of ceramic factory in Kuprava


Examples of living houses sector derelicts

In Latvia there are big problems with living houses sector derelicts especially in former industrial districts of cities.

It is mainly a result of changes of economic situation.


Brownfields in Rezekne

In Rezekne are defined 3 big potentially polluted territories. The biggest of them are former factory of ferroconcrete constructions, which are located in the centre of the city.


Conclusions

• In Latvia with term “brownfields” are understood Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated sites. Total number of them are 3563.

• Different interpretation of brownfields in EU countries trouble to realize common politics in revitalization of them.

• The big negative influence from esthetical viewpoint are derelicts from Soviet army, factories etc.


Thank you for your attention!

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„This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.“

Documents

Introduction and analysis of brownfield situation in Latvia