<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the present-day societies without compromising the possibilities of the future societies to meet their needs – became the predominant paradigm of planning policies. This concept with its environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions has been applied to the field of architecture since the end of the 20th century. However, numerous researchers still notice technological and ecological orientation of sustainable architecture and the lack of attention to its cultural, place-based and aesthetics aspects. The question may be asked if it is possible to distinguish the aesthetics of sustainable architecture. Thus, this research analyses the question of sustainability aesthetics and the ways that it is expressed in the field of architecture. In order to reach this aim: the quantitative and qualitative literature review on the questions of sustainability aesthetics and sustainability aesthetics in architecture was performed; the discussion of the notion of sustainability aesthetics and the aesthetic trends of sustainable architecture was developed based on the results of literature analysis.
</abstract>

Aesthetics of Sustainability and Architecture: An Overview

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Orientation is a design parameter that plays a major role in climate responsive architecture and helps achieve comfort within the built environment. However, it is difficult to achieve an ideal orientation, especially in urban context. The main aim of this paper is to develop alternate strategies to overcome the challenges faced in designing as per preferred orientation and then derive a set of tools that can help decide the orientation of a building on site both under normal and congested site conditions. Thereafter, the inferences from the paper can act as references for choosing an optimum orientation for placement of buildings in warm humid climate. It can act as a significant pedagogical guideline for students of architecture in deciphering solutions for a climate responsive design in a simplified manner. The results can also be utilised for future research in formulating similar tools for other climatic regions.
</abstract>

Building Orientation as the Primary Design Consideration for Climate Responsive Architecture in Urban Areas

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Public spaces facilitate opportunities for social interaction and promote social life. The social-spatial complexity of public spaces can be explored through the relationship between built forms and users’ daily social activities. The contemporary needs of users have retrofitted or replaced the controversial public spaces such as streets, depriving the prime function of sustaining and facilitating social life. Thus, any factors influencing users’ social/public life impact the quality of public spaces. Also, contextualization and definition of public spaces necessitate an evaluation of their quality. The lack of a quality assessment directory (QAD) for evaluating multi-functional public spaces motivated us to address it. To achieve the aim, this research has conducted a systematic literature review applying the content analysis to explore the principles and indicators influencing and enhancing social interactions in multi-functional public space design and then performed a normalization analysis to measure the weight of each indicator. The QAD constitutes five criteria (C1 – Inclusiveness, C2 – Desirable activities, C3 – Comfort, C4 – Safety, C5 – Pleasurability), and forty-two (42) embedded sub-criteria. The research found that Inclusiveness (<italic>Wn</italic>C1 = 4.38) and Pleasurability (<italic>Wn</italic>C2 = 3.88) have received the highest weights. Also, the research found that the sub-criteria ‘Physical/visual connection or openness to adjacent spaces’ (<italic>Wn</italic>Sc.4.1 = 1.00), ‘Users of diverse ages’ and ‘Community gathering third places’ (<italic>Wn</italic> = 0.750) have received the highest weights. Using such a QAD, urban professionals can quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of public spaces’ environmental and physical qualities in promoting social interactions and sociability.
</abstract>

A Quality Assessment Directory for Evaluating Multi-functional Public Spaces

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Archaeological sites have always suffered from loss and degradation due to many human and natural hazards. In recent decades, interest in preserving archaeological sites has increased dramatically. Many modern techniques have emerged from the different disciplines that can be used in preservation works, and a large number of the techniques and their capability made it difficult for decision-makers and specialists to determine the appropriate technique that gives the best results in preserving the archaeological site. The research aims to identify the project needed to preserve the archaeological site and then choose the appropriate technique for it, based on the opinions of experts using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, which helps decision-makers and specialists to choose the most appropriate technology. The archaeological site of Babylon was chosen as a case study. As a result of applying the AHP method, the priority weights of preservation stages for the archaeological site of Babylon were determined as follows: (diagnosis and monitoring 30.8 %), (intervention 21.2 %), and (tourism and media 16.6 %), while the appropriate technique was determined as follows: (infrared thermography 29.4 %), (maintenance 49.3 %), and (augmented reality 38.7 %).
</abstract>

The Role of Modern Techniques in Preservation of Archaeological Sites

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article describes a traditional one-story building named <italic>cardenha</italic>, which is a type of vernacular building in the village of Vale de Poldros and widespread in the northern region of Portugal. The author has done the comparative analysis of construction of <italic>cardenha</italic> and similar structures that have dry stone masonry walls and corbelled dome roofs in the territory of the Mediterranean Basin. Related construction systems of <italic>cardenha</italic> were identified in the basic types of corbelled domes and unique features of the structures in Vale de Poldros are described.</abstract>

Vernacular Values in Architectural Heritage. The Case of Vale de Poldros

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study examines two crucial interlinked physical planning and design aspects with potential impact on pedestrian flow in urban settings. Mixed land uses and gridded/interconnected streets are invariably characterised in the urban design literature as the essence of vibrant cities and lively street environments. The study develops a critical approach that investigates some of the most popular algorithms utilised in assessing mixed-use characteristics and their impact on pedestrian movement. “Entropy,” “LUM,” and “dissimilarity” indices are critically evaluated in terms of their reliability in predicting pedestrian travel patterns. The study also examines street network measurement indices and spatial analysis tools that enhance urban vitality and aid in the design and development of active street environments. It bridges the gap between disparate approaches aiming at understanding and prescribing the built environment attributes that enhance urban vitality. The theoretical quest of this study provides a robust foundation for future case study research on the built environment.
</abstract>

Mixed-use and Street Network Attributes of Vibrant Urban Settings

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The article is based on the original manuscript materials and documents of the Faculty of Architecture and Engineering of the exile Baltic University (Baltische Universität), which operated in Hamburg and Pinneberg from 1946 to 1949. The Faculty of Architecture of the Baltic University was a unique establishment in exile where Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian refugees came together to maintain their architectural education. The documents (four boxes and one roll of papers) were discovered at the Manuscript Collection of the Uppsala University Library marked as “Lettiska Fonden” and were unknown to architectural historians up to this date. This common Baltic tangible and intangible architectural heritage is a unique source for discovering and understanding the destiny of Baltic architects in exile in times of geopolitical crisis.
</abstract>

Baltic Architectural Education in Times of Crisis: Faculty of Architecture at the Baltic University in Germany, 1946–1949

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
For successful and efficient participatory planning, continuous improvement and assessment of its tools is needed. The aim of this research is to summarize the methodologies, process, and results of the participatory workshops carried out within the framework of the Genius Loci project implemented in the Šančiai neighbourhood (Kaunas, Lithuania), and to draw conclusions and insights on the effectiveness, advantages, and possibilities of using urban theories and approaches, such as mental mapping, sociotope methodology, and pattern language in participatory planning tools. The possibilities of application of the design thinking approach in facilitating the process and improving user experience are also discussed. The article includes a brief introduction to the activities of the Genius Loci project with the following focus on workshops, their methodologies, processes, and outcomes from the point of view of urban theories applied. The main outcome is the summary table demonstrating features of participatory tools (workshop sessions), elements of urban theories applied, and their evaluation followed by conclusions.
</abstract>

Application of Urban Theories in Developing Participatory Planning Tools

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The analysis in this research focuses on folk schools, which are among the oldest educational buildings in Latvia. These schools played a significant role in the advancement of Latvian national culture and the initiation of Latvian education. Throughout history, the preservation and fate of this architectural heritage have consistently relied on socio-economic and political factors. Even in the present day, due to urbanization, school restructuring, and a lack of societal appreciation for their historical significance, these buildings remain vulnerable to complete deterioration and eventual disappearance. The historical form of folk schools as an educational network no longer exists, and today their architectural heritage serves as vanishing proof of the past, with its value primarily recognized within cultural and historical contexts. This study analyzes 114 identified folk school structures situated in two historical regions of Latvia. It delves into their construction history and architectural characteristics while elucidating the inherent risks and potential cultural significance these edifices hold in the contemporary landscape of Kurzeme and Zemgale.
</abstract>

The Architecture of Folk Schools in Latvia: Development and Stylistic Features in Kurzeme and Zemgale

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The limited access to fulfilment of housing needs, inadequate availability of finance, and unaffordable housing prices are essential factors used to determine the effectiveness of housing finance policies for Low-Income Communities (MBR). This study aims to determine how <italic>SiKasep</italic>, a Housing Subsidized KPR Information System Application effectively improves housing needs fulfilment, provides access to finance, and ensures affordable houses for low-income communities. The strategies used include leadership approaches and effective communication, government support, community knowledge, participation, and policy impact. This is a quantitative and qualitative research with data collected from 55 respondents through questionnaires. The findings indicate the importance of the community’s knowledge factors, specifically on aspects of technology proficiency and economy for MBR, as an innovative approach to effective housing finance policy.
</abstract>

The Effectiveness of Housing Finance Policy Innovation for Low-Income Communities in Indonesia

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The epistemological debate regarding the new industrial heritage paradigm from the landscape perspective has generated a number of uncertainties as well as new questions and challenges that need to be addressed, not only from a conceptual viewpoint but also via the definition of methodological approaches that facilitate the implementation in the territory in question of some of its axioms as an initial, unavoidable step towards the identification and characterisation of these landscapes. The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual and methodological approach to the industrial landscape based on its heritage dimension. On a conceptual level, the article explores the study of these landscapes, addressing their heritage dimension and offering a synthesis of existent theories in this field with those practical instruments, regulations, recommendations, etc., that recognise their heritage value. On a methodological level, the article advances in the design of methodological keys for the analysis and identification of these landscapes by focusing on their specific nature and heritage dimension, a step that constitutes a priority task in terms of the enhancement and integrated management of the same in a manner that supports their protection and administration on the basis of heritage and cultural considerations.
</abstract>

The Heritage Dimension of Industrial Landscape. Methodological Keys for Its Analysis and Identification

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The development of a contemporary townscape within the historical urban structures is a phenomenon of this period that has been going on in Lithuania for about 20 years. This is an ongoing process with an uncertain outcome, as the rapidly changing urban design trends require quick responses to current needs. It is necessary to modify, revise, and supplement the concepts and existing legislation accordingly. This article examines the factors leading to the emergence and formation of the modern townscape in Vilnius, as well as the documents governing the city’s development after gaining independence. It presents an evaluation of the newly established urban structures in the central part of Vilnius and identifies the challenges and problems in shaping the contemporary townscape. The results of the study allow us to identify what actions must be taken in order to form a high-quality modern townscape, starting with self-evaluation of what has been done and ending with the creation of a dynamic urban model that would respond to constantly changing needs.
</abstract>

Shaping a Modern Townscape in The City Centre Area: The Case of Vilnius

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Wood in general is a traditional building material in Northern Europe including Latvia and other Baltic countries, but nowadays it is used less in Latvia than in other EU countries. There are many forests in Latvia and a well-developed timber industry. Latvian society is enthusiastic about eco-materials, and qualified architects and engineers are ready to work with timber structures. However, wood is mainly used for small buildings and residential construction, but minimally in public and multi-apartment buildings. The study was carried out among architects and other stakeholders in Latvia to analyze their impact on the selection of building material. Thirty-eight interviews were conducted, questionnaire among 73 respondents carried out, and discussion in a focus group was held to find out the main reason and barriers for using wood for buildings in Latvia less than in other EU countries. During the research the main influencing factors for choosing wood constructions were identified and seven main barriers formulated. The study results were compared with the results of similar studies in other countries. Two of the seven barriers in Latvia – stereotypes and legislation – were not mentioned in other studies, nevertheless, these are the most frequently mentioned obstacles in the Latvian case.</abstract>

Barriers for Use of Wood in Architecture: The Latvian Case

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Design studio, workshop, practical placement and design-build concept, are all forms of experiential learning. The aim of this paper is to investigate the significance of design-build concept and to define the extent to which it has penetrated into architectural curricula. Results indicate variety in understanding, programming and implementation among different schools. Conducted comparative analysis of different case examples could be used as a guideline to schools in which this concept has not been introduced yet.</abstract>

Design-Build Concept In Architectural Education

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Urban regeneration with a view to efficient use of urban areas has been a strategy for urban development for decades. Densification is used as a planning approach to promote the implementation of the compact city model and to discourage urban sprawl. The central parts of the city are usually of high density, so the areas outside the city’s historic centre are seen as potential sites for urban densification. In many European cities large-scale residential areas built after the Second World War occupy a significant part of the territory outside of the city’s historic centres. Today, these housing areas are in most cases sleeping areas with great potential for development. Densification of urban areas outside of urban nuclei is not an easy task, and deals with a whole series of challenges.The paper examines the existing approaches focused on densification in large housing estates. In order to define the typical challenges of this process, the examples of infill developments in large housing area Imanta in Riga are analysed. The analysis of infill development in Imanta showed four possible approaches. Some approaches contribute to the improvement of public space for neighbourhood inhabitants in general, still some approaches tend to isolate the new development and inhabitants from the surrounding territory.</abstract>

Urban Densification of Large Housing Estates in the Context of Privatisation of Public Open Space: the Case of Imanta, Riga

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The residential landscape of a city is key to its economic, social, and cultural functioning. Following the collapse of communist rule in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the late 1980s and early 1990s, urban residential dynamics and household mobility have been critical to urban change under new economies and political systems. This article explores neighbourhood perception, which is a link in the chain to better explanation of socio-spatial processes (and their interruption by the socialist system). We use a novel data set – opinions expressed on one of social media (Twitter), and a novel empirical method – neural network analysis, to explore people’s current attitudes and perceptions about the neighbourhoods and districts in Tartu, Estonia. The findings suggest that Twitter comments about urban neighbourhoods display attitudinal and perceptual commentary, which is subdued compared to other subjects. The socialist goal of homogeneity in neighbourhoods is not reflected in present day perspectives about urban neighbourhoods, 25 years after the disintegration of the USSR. Ambivalence about neighbourhoods persists, but this ambivalence may be in flux. Older, formerly neglected neighbourhoods, the subject of positive perception on social media, are currently experiencing increased investment, and the observed trends in our data support a narrative of neighbourhood transition.</abstract>

Network Connections and Neighbourhood Perception: Using Social Media Postings to Capture Attitudes among Twitter Users in Estonia

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
COVID-19, evidently the world’s worst pandemic during the last two centuries, has predicated several challenges for urban designers, especially in their bid to find appropriate designing strategies. Even though there are umpteenth studies in the literature that have focused on the different aspects of COVID-19 related pandemics, very scant studies sought to find appropriate mitigating strategies in designing pandemic friendly urban spaces. Thus, through qualitative grounded theory as a main methodological approach, this study hypothesized that the COVID-19 induced pandemic has direct effects on the liveability of public spaces. Accordingly, by developing a comprehensive review of the literature on the environmental and socio-economic effects of the pandemic, this study proposed a comprehensive framework for understanding its side effects and a comprehensive mitigating strategy to deal with it in the short and long term of designing a healthy urban environment.
</abstract>

A Comprehensive Review on the Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Urban Spaces

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Architecture and Urban Planning

The annual Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University, Architecture and Urban Planning reflects most of the research themes and content of global and local problems in the regional...

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The annual Scientific Journal of Riga Technical University, Architecture and Urban Planning reflects most of the research themes and content of...