Construction Law (2013) Country/Territory Latvia Document type Legislation Date 2013 (2019) Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Latvijas Vēstnesis, 146, 30.07.2013. Subject Environment gen. Keyword Cultural heritage Environmental planning Protection of environment Public health Public land Public participation Renewable energy Sustainable development Urban land Policy/planning Geographical area Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Northern Europe Abstract The purpose of the Law is to create a living environment of good quality, determining efficient regulation of the construction process in order to ensure sustainable State economic and social development, preservation of cultural and historical and environmental values, and also rational use of energy resources. The Law shall be applied to the construction of new structures, and also to rebuilding, renewal, restoration, demolition, placing of existing structures, to changing of the type of use without rebuilding and to preservation. Construction shall include designing and construction work as a result of which existing structures are improved or demolished or new structures with a specific function are created. The following principles shall be conformed to in construction: (1) the principle of architectonic quality according to which structures are designed by balancing the functional, aesthetical, social, cultural and historical, technological and economic aspects of construction and also the interests of the initiator of the construction and the public, emphasising the individual identity of nature or urban landscape and organically integrating it into the cultural environment, thus enriching it and creating a living space of good quality; (2) the principle of engineering technical quality according to which the engineering technical solution of the structure is safe for use, and also economically and technologically efficient; (3) the principle of openness according to which the construction process is open, the public is informed about the anticipated construction and the decisions taken in relation thereto; (4) the principle of public participation according to which in the cases specified in this Law public discussing of the construction intention is ensured; (5) the principle of sustainable construction according to which a living environment of good quality for current and future generations is created during the construction process, increasing efficient use of renewable energy resources and promoting efficient use of other natural resources for such purpose; and (6) the principle of environmental accessibility according to which such environment is created during the construction process, in which any person may move with comfort and use the structure according to its purpose of use. Full text English/Latvian Website likumi.lv