Public spaces in historic towns of Lithuania: rehabilitation and decline of cultural value

Abstract

The present paper aims to reveal present tendencies of changes in the public spaces of urban heritage sites in Lithuania. Decline of former social relations, depression of local communities and commercialization of building activity are highlighted as the main reasons of dramatic alterations in traditional spatial forms and design of historic streets and squares. The contradictions in the system of listing, indeterminate responsibility of the authorities, and inadequate role of local communities contribute to low efficiency of preservation of authentic streets and squares. Conservation in this sense is presented not as safeguarding the fragments of urban environment, but as preserving the major spatial rules - the ‘spatial spirit’, which enabled continuation of the traditional formation of urban environment. Evaluation of recent changes in the public spaces of listed urban sites is urgent for further development of legal system of cultural heritage protection. Democratization of the valuation process and involvement of the local communities into processes of protection are regarded as the fundamental direction of expected revitalization.