Background

Cēsis, an old Hansaetic city located in the northern part of Latvia, is bidding for the title of European Capital of Culture in Latvia in 2014. The city is rich in cultural traditions and spectacular landscapes; its historic centre is even included on the list of national cultural heritage monuments of urban development. Nowadays, Cēsis has to find new ways to develop. As the industrial sector is not highly developed, the city is trying to improve its cultural and tourism profile.

Objectives

The Cēsis Old Town regeneration plan was developed in the 1980’s, but little progress has been made since then.The Old Town, with its old castle ruins and beautiful parks, is a very attractive area. However, the empty buildings and shops on the main streets, with few possibilities for social life, are not attracting new visitors. The main question remains how to make the area a better place for living and working, as well as friendlier for visitors.

The Future City Game helped to develop a concrete plan of activities to regenerate the Old Town which was presented to the City Council and stimulated cooperation between residents, entrepreneurs and building owners. The game was co-organised by the Cesis Cultural centre.
 

Winning idea

Cinema Town Cēsis

The winning idea proposes a number of promotional activities for the beautiful Cēsis townscape, focusing on the film-industry as economic potential for the development of the area. Cinema workshops for students and amateur filmmakers, as well as other educational activities, would bring representatives of the film-industry to the city. Visitors and residents could enjoy the atmosphere of the Cinema Garden, in the Castle gardens, by attending outdoor film screenings organised in cooperation with European cultural institutes. To improve the overall tourist experience and add educational information to the tourist tour, the team proposes interactive cinema boxes, which would not only provide information, but also play a significant role in preserving and promoting the local cultural heritage.

Winning ideas from the other teams

The Pearls of the Old Town

The team focused on improving the social environment in the Old Town. The idea proposes the use of taxes paid by Cēsis Old Town residents to improve the situation in the historic centre. A new children’s playground in the centre, a mini–Cēsis Old Town, would provide families with a pleasant environment to spend their free time. To attract more visitors and improve their experience, the idea also introduces educational excursions with interactive information points telling stories of famous former residents and important events in the past.

Open Doors

The team proposed a good and structured long-term plan, and their suggestions are opening doors to change and growth. The database of properties, the help in property sales from the City Council, eco-lux life style promotion, regular seminars and workshops on topics such as the restoration of wooden architecture, and liveable places, would attract motivated entrepreneurs and owners of local property. Focusing on the creative future of the area and cultural tourism would open doors for educational institutions, creative businesses, and cultural festivals and, consequently, attract more visitors. The establishment of a new association of residents, property owners and entrepreneurs for the development of Cēsis Old Town is considered the next important step toward implementing the idea.

Cornerstones through the Ages

The idea is based on the stonemasonry traditions of Cēsis – to commemorate important people and events with stone art works placed in the Old Town. Historians and pupils would take part in selecting the important figures to be reproduced in stone sculptures. Local residents could also vote for the most significant annual event to be commemorated in this way. Interactive technologies could be used to provide information on individual art works, including background information on the subjects.