Identification of local territorial communities in the urban structure of Vilnius city

Abstract

The article “Identification of Local Territorial Communities in Urban Structure of Vilnius City” presents the analysis of the general principles of identification of local territorial communities in the urban structure of modern cities and presents a methodology for including the public initiative as a strong factor of urban planning. International perspective on the process reveals that Lithuania is lagging behind of many European countries in empowering urban communities to participate in solving major urban problems of recent days. Based on the example of Vilnius City the way of activating local resident’s groups is presented in the research with the basic focus on improvement of urban development strategies and local municipal policies as well as concrete development plans. The wide scope of interest that territorial communities have in the area of their habitat allow to plan development of the most diverse urban systems by getting primary initiatives, planning evaluations and post-occupant evaluation and maintenance of residences, social services, landscapes and the other elements of urban structure. By matching the informal areas of local territorial communities with the legal boundaries of local urban authorities residents would have greater opportunities to contribute to planning and development projects and by that increase the overall quality of urban architecture.