NEWS

The Central Karosta Neighbourhood is located in the northern part of Liepāja, within Karosta, the largest historical military garrison in the Baltics. The area consists of 12 steel-concrete residential buildings constructed during the Soviet period, housing approximately 1500-1800 residents. Despite its cultural and environmental value, most of the neighbourhood remains largely unchanged for decades and faces significant challenges related to energy efficiency, mobility, and public space quality.

 

By joining WeGenerate as a Fellow City, Liepāja aims to accelerate the renovation of the Central Karosta Neighbourhood by combining data-driven analysis, digital tools, and citizen engagement. The city seeks to:

 

Liepāja has carried out detailed data gathering and analysis of the pilot area. Energy consumption has been assessed across different building typologies, clearly demonstrating that renovated buildings consume more than two times less heating energy than non-renovated ones. The neighbourhood is connected to a district heating system powered entirely by a local woodchip boiler house, ensuring renewable heat supply.

 

In parallel, the city analysed mobility patterns, revealing a strong reliance on private cars but also a growing share of walking and cycling. To support informed decision-making, Liepāja developed a detailed ArcGIS-based 3D model of the neighbourhood, visualising buildings, infrastructure, and spatial conditions.

 

The city will use the digital model to show the current situation and potential future scenarios after renovation. By making data visible and understandable, Liepāja aims to change mindsets, stimulate collective action, and attract financing from municipal and national sources. Planned actions also include improvements to courtyards and public spaces, as well as the completion of continuous cycling infrastructure connecting Karosta to the city centre.