Moscow and Krasta streets.

Moscow district is a 32 000 inhabitants neighbourhood quite close to Riga's city centre with a powerful identity and a rich wooden architecture heritage. It is just a few meters away from the Daugava river, has a lot of greenery, many squares and parks, several schools, a University complex, and quite a characteristic atmosphere. Many of the inhabitants have been living there over generations and simply love the place.

It is however poorly linked with the neighbouring areas, with several physical barriers cutting it off from the rest of the city. It has also lost contact with the river front, has many abandoned properties, a significant lack of services and cultural activities, no attractiveness for potential visitors, an unfriendly pedestrian environment, and a very high rate of unemployment.

It is one of the five areas targeted for redevelopment at the RadiRigu! workshops. 

The proposal for this area centred on two main streets as a way to revamp the whole neighbourhood. Moscow street is the backbone of the area and was the main traffic link between the city centre and the South-East. When Krasta street opened as an alternative free way next to the river, Moscow street role changed dramatically and, with it, the whole character of the neighbourhood. Working on both streets is an attempt to rebalance the situation, revitalize the very heart of the district and reorganize its waterfront.

Moscow street is foreseen as a slow traffic street, devoted to public trams and bicycle paths. Its may well channel, in a sustainable way, over 88 000 people -who live either at the Moscow district itself or at the neighbouring Kengarags district- towards the city centre. It extends the intended cycling system in Riga to a whole new area and allows for easy access to 45 educational centres. Services related to the students and the potential cycling tourism to its many wooden constructions may become the basis for a new economy in the area.

Krasta street is currently a fast traffic access that disregards the importance of the neighbouring district and the potential of the waterfront. It constitutes a strong barrier between the city and the river and consumes a significant amount of land. But the number of existing traffic lanes can be reduced without affecting the overall traffic scheme and the beltway transformed into a city boulevard. Over 20 ha could then be devoted to new public spaces along the waterfront and bring new activities and new businesses into a now beautiful but deserted area.

Project team: Ventis Didrihsons, Ilze Circene, Jānis Barkāns, Vita Jevdokimova, Sabīne Zāģere.