Enhancing Public Understanding and Participation in Latvian Territorial Planning: Developing an Innovative Framework for Zoning and Property Burden Awareness

Abstract Limited public understanding of zoning changes and property burdens, such as construction restrictions and red lines, poses a significant challenge to effective territorial planning in Latvian municipalities. This lack of transparency often results in reduced civic participation and public trust, ultimately hindering sustainable urban development. To address these issues, the study aims to develop an innovative, interactive, data-driven, and transferable digital framework aimed at enhancing public understanding and participation in territorial planning. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining document analysis of territorial planning materials with an assessment of public engagement data. A pilot case study in Riga illustrates the framework’s usability and relevance. Results suggest that the proposed framework significantly improves citizens’ understanding of zoning regulations and associated property burdens, encourages earlier participation in planning decisions, and contributes to more equitable urban development. The study recommends broader adoption of the framework across Latvian municipalities to strengthen transparency, safeguard property rights, and align planning outcomes with community needs.