South Kurzeme planners invite people to eight meetings: 'Come, we'll show you where your houses will be!'

South Kurzeme municipality planners have decided to run a marathon — not on trails, but through cultural centers. Six weeks, eight meetings, and endless discussions about whether your neighbor can build a shed by the property line or not.

Kristīne Pastore from the municipality's public relations department announces that territorial planning discussions will take place from February 23 to April 7. 'It's like Eurovision, but with maps and no singing,' explains local resident Jānis from Nīca. 'Everyone can vote on where the park will be, where the parking lot goes, and where absolutely nothing will be.'

Residents are invited to attend meetings in all municipal cultural centers — from Nīca to Grobiņa. Some meetings will also have remote access, because nowadays even planning has gone hybrid. 'We can be at home in pajamas while simultaneously deciding the future of urban development,' rejoices territorial planner Līga Ločmele.

Compared to Riga, where territorial plans get rewritten more often than social media statuses, the process in South Kurzeme municipality proceeds more peacefully. 'We have time to think. No need to rush like in the capital, where today there's a park, tomorrow — a shopping center,' comments a local expert.

What else? Proposals can be submitted in various ways — by email, regular mail, or delivered in person. The main thing is not to miss the opportunity to influence your living environment. Otherwise, in a year you'll only be able to complain and ask: 'Why is there now a bus stop in my backyard?'