REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SPATIAL PLANNING OF LATGALE REGION

This paper offers a contribution to contemporary studies of spatial planning. In particular, it focuses on the relationship between competitiveness and spatial planning. In the topical academic debates, there has been a growing interest in raising new paradigms to introduce innovative ways of undertaking long-lasting regional development problems. Territorial assets and spatial qualities have increasingly been regarded as factors for attracting on economic activities and increasing the competitiveness of regions. Spatial and non-spatial policies, planning documents, may have a significant role in enhancing the competitiveness of regions and territories by changing endogenous factors and producing shifts related to positioning and increasing the competitiveness of regions. This paper contains an analysis of competitiveness dimensions in the spatial planning documents of     Latgale planning region (Latvia) by focusing on a quantitative analysis of the specific dimensions of competitiveness.

COVID- 19 PANDEMIC IMPACT ON FREE ZONES

COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on global economic activity, but the negative effects vary from country to country. The key factors determining the depth of the impact are the economic situation at the beginning of 2020, the features of the economic structure and the fiscal capacity of governments to help citizens, businesses and the economy as a whole. Free zones and special economic zones are historically perceived as places that, to some extent, protect investors from unpredictability and act as places where the weak business environment is mitigated. The article investigates the impact of pandemic COVID - 19 on the world's economic situation and free zones, as well as free zones forecasts on the economic recovery. The objective of the article – to analyse the impact of pandemic COVID-19 on the world free zones performance and global economic situation. Within the framework of the study has been characterised the impact of pandemic COVID - 19 on the world's economic situation, described the extent and nature of the COVID- 19 pandemic impacts on performance in the Free Zones, as well as has been described the impact of pandemic COVID 19 on the operation of free-zone enterprises in Latvia by analysing the example of Rezekne's special economic zone.The descriptive methods, document analysis, comparative analysis was used in the study, survey

LEGAL INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES IN LATVIA

The regulatory framework of the freeports and special economic zones of Latvia are analysed in the paper providing as well an insight into the changes related to granting aid that have taken place. There are five freeports and special economic zones in Latvia, though, while the conditions for granting the aid are the same, the way they operate varies. The research aims to describe the institutional framework of special economic zones in Latvia. The author (1) has carried out a study on scope and conditions for granting the aid in the freeports and special economic zones of Latvia; (2) has described the restrictions on granting the aid. The monographic research and comparative analyses methods are used in the research

Integrated Regional Development Concepts: Case of Rezekne City

As to impact of European level planning activities and initiatives on planning practice in the Member States of the European Union, an important issue is practical application of theoretical aspects of planning that includes results of discussions on basic conditions for elaboration of a high quality and effective integrated planning documents and concepts in accordance with theoretical conclusions. The significance of cities with regard to regional development is testified by political and strategic documents-the strategy "Europe 2020" (EC, 2010) and others. Attractiveness is now linked to economic growth to provide a broader framework for the analysis of the process during which cities will reach higher standards of their inhabitants' life quality, as well as the most favorable environment for attraction of investments and visitors. Therefore it is important to understand what creates the attractiveness of cities for residents, investors and visitors and the way it could become an element of policy and planning process to contribute to balanced regional development. The aim of the research is to explore the importance of elaboration of integrated development concepts to increase the city attractiveness and the way it could become an element of policy and planning process to contribute to balanced regional development. Three tasks have been set within the framework of the research: -to investigate the theoretical aspects of planning methodology and city attractiveness; -to identify the most important factors of city attractiveness for Rezekne city; -to set up the integrated regional development concepts' priorities of the Rezekne city to enhance its attractiveness

SPATIAL PLANNING AND PRACTICE IN LATVIA

The current system of territorial planning in Latvia has been formed after regaining its independence in 1991. The European Union has had a great impact on the development of the concept and practice of spatial planning throughout the entire Europe and in each of the Member States, including Latvia. The common planning activities and initiatives at the European level had influenced planning practice in all the Member States.  The aim of the research is to describe the development of the spatial planning system, as well as the features of planning practice in Latvia in the context of spatial planning activities at the European Union level. During the research, the author describes the development of the spatial planning concept, the typology and system of spatial planning in the European Union. Additionally, the author characterises the development of the legal framework for and practice in the spatial planning system of Latvia, as well as identifies the features of the Latvian spatial planning system and practice in the context of spatial planning activities at the European Union level. Research methods – content analysis, deductive and inductive methods, theoretical analysis of scientific literature, EU and Latvian legislation analysis, comparative analysis, etc

EDUCATING OF COMMUNITY TO CORRDINATE INETRESTS IN SPATIAL PLANNING

The main obstacles of low effectiveness of public participation in the development process of spatial planning documents in Latvia are the lack of confidence of the population in the effectiveness of public participation, the lack of adequate competence and skills of local authorities for involvement of different interest groups, insufficient understanding of society about the coordination the interests of individuals with spatial development aims in different planning levels, as well as with the aims of sustainable development of local government territory. There are a variety of informal measures and methods which the municipality can use to raise the level of public knowledge and awareness about spatial planning to achieve the best outcomes from both the public interest and sustainable development perspective. These measures help a more active involvement and effectiveness of participation of community in the spatial planning process. The purpose of the study is to describe the problems of coordination of different interests, insufficient public participation, as well as to identify the educational opportunities for the matching the different interests in spatial development planning process in Latvia. The following tasks were identified in order to achieve the objective of the study: (1) to justify the needs for the coordination of interests in the spatial planning process; (2) to identify the main problems of public involvement and educational opportunities for the coordination of the interests. Methods used - content analysis, document analysis, deductive and inductive method, comparative analysis.