According to a recent survey conducted as part of the “2Nite” project, residents of Riga’s Purvciems district consider the area around the former “Minska” shopping centre to be the most dangerous in their neighbourhood.
The project, which was presented at the “Towards Balance” evening and night-time forum on Thursday, is being implemented by the Riga City Council in cooperation with several other European cities. Its aim is to identify ways to improve residents’ sense of safety in the evenings and at night by involving local communities and stakeholders.
Purvciems was chosen as the project’s pilot area because it is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Riga, has a high proportion of non-Latvian residents, and is known for low community engagement. The area is dominated by Soviet-era high-rise buildings, with many residents reporting feeling unsafe and it is a “sleeping district”.
Respondents identified the surroundings of the former “Minska” shopping centre as the most dangerous part of Purvciems. Contributing factors include the presence of a nightclub, several gambling halls, and a generally unattractive public space – all of which draw a problematic crowd, according to the survey.
Another hotspot for concern is the area around the Purvciems market, which includes pawn shops, kebab stands, various kiosks, and poor lighting.
It also promotes the gathering of different groups of people.
The most rundown spot, residents say, is a courtyard on Stirnu Street where abandoned buildings and ruins have become a dumping ground for garbage and have even been the site of arson incidents.
Residents also expressed safety concerns about Biķernieki Forest, particularly at night, noting threats from both people and unleashed dogs.
Key issues highlighted in the survey include traffic safety and the condition of residential courtyards. Roads and sidewalks are in poor shape, lighting is insufficient, and dangerous intersections and pedestrian crossings are common. Speeding is a recurring problem both on main roads and within courtyards, which also suffer from poor infrastructure and lack of lighting. In addition, these areas often attract loitering individuals and have been the scene of thefts.
As part of the next phase of the “2Nite” project, the city plans to identify and implement concrete measures to improve safety and security in the neighbourhood.
The survey was conducted in spring and included 182 respondents who live in, work in, or frequently visit Purvciems.
The forum “Towards Balance” was held on Thursday at the “Splendid Palace” cinema in Riga and focused on topics related to evening and night-time life in urban areas.