City of Klaipeda
| 1995 | Trend | |
| Inhabitants | 203,000 | - |
| Area of the city (km2) | 98.5 | |
| Population density (persons/km2) | 2064 | - |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | ++ |
| Economic development | + | |
| Structure of the housing funds | ||
| Rate of private ownership of housing | 2% | + |
| Rate of (municipal) social housing | 30% | +/- |
| Rate of co-operative housing (incl. co-op rental) | 60% | + |
| Number of large, prefabricated housing estates | 8 | |
| Ratio of inhabitants in large housing estates | 70% | +/- |
| Local funds for large housing estates | non-existent | |
| International co-operation in planning and housing | Ireland, Netherlands |
The city and its environment
Klaipeda is the third-largest Lithuanian city, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea in the western part of the country. As the capital of the western region, it is one of the largest centres of industry, culture, and science and attracts inward migration as well as tourism. Klaipeda University was established on the site of a former Soviet military base to promote the growth of the city.
The old town is a monument of architecture and history, with many buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It also provides the most important central facilities.
The city serves as an important ice-free harbour for the country and its neighbouring states and provides ferry connections towards western Europe.
Housing situation and large housing estates
After World War II, Klaipeda was rebuilt and extended according to the modernist concept of a linear city. It has a clearly defined division of functions: harbour, industrial region, centre, housing areas, and recreational zones. Whereas some of the old city’s housing stock has rapidly been refurbished, the maintenance of the approximately 20 per cent ‘Chruchov’-type buildings, 60 per cent medium-size block and large panel buildings, and 15 per cent brick constructions has been slow to adjust to the newly important demands of sustainable development. The city’s new development plan (1997) is proposing a ‘complex’ strengthening of structures and opening the urban space towards the lagoon. It includes new, large housing developments, to be constructed within a period of 30 years. Following Swedish models, a mixed structure is envisioned: a new type of prefabricated buildings, private family houses, and cottages adjacent to the woods are intended to attract a differentiated population.
Problems and areas requiring action
- imperfect economical and financial systems (difficult to obtain long-term credit), creating problems for maintenance and the production of new housing
- non-liquidity of inhabitants, making even small refurbishment measures a problem
- lack of modern building repair methods
- large technology for central heating is increasingly questioned and rejected, creating problems for the financing of large production and (water) treatment units; even well-intentioned improvements of large technology can become a problem as the number of customers opting for small scale, ‘modern’ and ecological solutions increases
- low standards and high cost of management of the estates, reducing their competitiveness in the market
Actors and activities
The city’s housing policy is oriented toward servicing the population and liberalising housing provisions to create competitive opportunities for state and municipal enterprises. Its goal is de- monopolisation and the creation of a market-oriented price regulation mechanism for housing, consumables, and services.
‘Misko’ Estate
| 1995 | Trend | |
| Inhabitants | 3,950 | - |
| Total estate area (ha) | ||
| Number of building complexes housing/other | 41 | + |
| Predominant building type | 9 and 12 storeys, red brick and concrete | |
| Average number of dwellings per building | 36 for 9 storey, 60 for 12 storey | |
| Average floor space per flat (m2) | 56.9 | |
| Average inhabitants per flat | 3.0 | - |
| Unemployment rate | unknown, estimated as rising | ++ |
| Total number of flats (units) | 1,882 | + |
| Co-operative housing (units) | 354 | |
| Owner-occupied flats (administered by coop) | 1,517 | |
| State and local council housing (units) | 11 |
The estate was built between 1979 and 1990 when housing production ceased although the infrastructure was not completely finished. The estate has a nursing school, a shopping centre, a telephone-telegraph station, a library, and a second, unfinished shopping centre with planned and partially operational police, drugstore, and restaurant facilities. Medical services are provided through public and private dispensaries. The area has not yet been fully landscaped.
Physical and ecological situation
- basically favourable conditions; forests obstructing the winds, easily accessible woodland
- no polluting industry in the vicinity; but lack of near-by jobs leading to increased commuter traffic
Problems
- new secondary school needed
- greenery must be improved
Strategies
- Included in the general urban strategy; no separate strategy for the estate
Source: EA.UE: A future for large housing estates, Berlin 1998
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