Challenges of Civic Engagement in the (Post-Socialist) Transitional Society: Experiences from Waterfront Urban Areas Mezapark in Riga and Kalarand in Tallinn

Public outcry and prolonged negotiations over detailed urban plans for waterfront areas in Riga (Mezapark) and Tallinn (Kalarand) reveal a critical gap between civic engagement strategies and public expectations. Despite increasing demand for participation in shaping city development, existing planning frameworks in post-socialist societies fall short of meeting these needs, highlighting the necessity for a cultural shift in urban planning. The study, based on semi-structured interviews with stakeholders and analysis of planning documentation, underscores the ineffectiveness of current civic engagement models and calls for reform to better align with community aspirations.

Prilenska, V., Paadam, K., & Liias, R. (2020). CHALLENGES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE (POST-SOCIALIST) TRANSITIONAL SOCIETY: EXPERIENCES FROM WATERFRONT URBAN AREAS MEZAPARK IN RIGA AND KALARAND IN TALLINN. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 44(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.3846/jau.2020.12223