Directions of the innovative development of the Latvian housing

Abstract

Availability of high-quality housing has always been one of the criteria of the prosperity, stability and progress of the citizens of any nationality. The issue raised in this study is to find out possibilities and options for the stabilization and renewal of the quality of physically and mentally outdated parts of the housing fund of Latvia, for dwelling. Today, the maintenance of technical condition of the housing fund of Latvia is a huge problem. Building of new houses constitutes insignificant part of the housing fund, so a special attention should be paid to houses built in 60s-70s of the previous century. A large proportion of residential buildings are both morally and physically outworn. The situation, which is characterized by completely missing restoration and replacement program of the housing fund to the suitable accommodation fund that is more energy-efficient and meets modern requirements for housing. Development of such programme shall be considered to be one of the main tasks of the improvement of the situation in the housing of Latvia. The change of the existing housing fund is unavoidable. Postponing consideration of this issue during the economic crisis is both lowering welfare level of the population as well as the living conditions of the inhabitants of Latvia. The authors researched and compiled possible options for the reduction of physically and mentally outdated parts of the housing fund of Latvia at the same time offering new construction capabilities as the alternative solutions for refurbishment and suggesting potential model for project financing. Values of economic indicators of different options concerning restoration and replacement of the existing housing fund with the constructions that are more energy-efficient and correspond to the requirements and needs of our modern society.