Latvia, Society, Tourism

Ainars Slesers

In Slesers' opinion, either Terbatas Street, or perhaps Barona Street, could be made into a pedestrian mall.

Slesers points out that many stores, cafes and restaurants have been shut down due to the crisis, although they were located in potentially good areas, for instance, the intersections of Barona Street with Dzirnavu Street and Elizabetes Streets. "A pedestrian street is needed to revitalize these places."

The streets that are fit for the purpose are Brivibas Street, Caka Street, Barona Street and Terbatas Street, Slesers said. The former two are too important for transport flows in Riga, whereas Barona Street and Terbatas Street should be given consideration. Terbatas Street appears to have the best prospects as a pedestrian street, he said.

Slesers said that making Barona Street a pedestrian mall was also an option, where only the tram would be left.

"There are pedestrian malls in many cities in Europe. Such a street would make the entire area's life much more active," said Slesers. "Vendors must not be ignored because small stores are going through hard times because of the large shopping centers."

"Now that traffic density has decreased, it is the right time to consider a pedestrian street in Riga. It may be not the entire street but just a stretch of it," he added.