Vakarietiškos teritorijų planavimo metodikos kelias į Lietuvą

Skilled and creative present generation of territory planners in Lithuania has achieved much in the development of the country, its settlements and old towns. This generation, however, was brought up in the conditions of command economy that have deformed both the real values of urban and regional development and the relationship between the planner and his/her object. Therefore our designers encounter many problems the solutions of which have already been found in the long practice of their counterparts in the Western countries. The Government of Canada has chosen an effective way to provide support for planners in the east-European countries. A non-profit organization, the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) financed by the Canadian International Development Agency established its units in the east-European states (Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia etc.). Via these units, the necessary support is provided for planners and municipalities. The Vilnius unit was set up in 1994 under an agreement between CUI and Vilnius municipality. The lines of the activities of the Vilnius unit were determined on the basis of a precept that the Canadian experience is most useful in the areas where both the principles of democratic planning and self-government are to be consolidated. Such areas include: The process of decentralization and sharing of authorities between the central government and local government levels. Capability of municipalities to integrate the community’s needs and to include local organizations into the process of adopting planning and management decisions. Management experience accumulated by municipalities. Strengthening of local authorities’ associations. Dissemination of results of research and experience in both the development of various sectors and urban planning. The Urban Planning Department of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is an active partner in the Canadian- Baltic interstate co-operation programme. The department’s researchers prepared preliminary development solutions for Vilnius city and suburban territories (“green belt”), contributed by their papers and an editorial work to the publication entitled “Vilnius Vision 2015”, participated in the organization of and delivered reports at an international seminar “Urban Development Strategy” (March 1995), held seminars for national planners, took part in advanced training courses and conferences abroad. Due to collaboration with CUI, the ranks of the authors contributing to the University’s research journal “Urbanistika ir architektura” (Urban Planning and Architecture) have been expanded. Issue No. 1(23), 1997 contained, for the first time, the English translations of 3 articles (two of them have been written by planning specialists from Stockholm). At present, the second stage of the Strategic Urban Management Programme is being implemented (1996-1999, 3 million CD). Attention is focused on the issues of urban economies. A strategy for the development of the economy of Vilnius city is being formulated. A study entitled “The Features of Vilnius Economy ‘97” prepared by the specialists of the Centre for Economic Studies has already been published. It is intended to carry out several demo projects, to hold seminars, to provide methodical support for municipalities, and to expand international relations.