Topicality of crafts in the development of Jelgava old town quarter

Abstract

The development of small towns in Latvia is strongly affected by the growth of the tourism industry. New tourism products and sightseeing objects are created to develop local tourism and increase the number of visitors to cities/regions owing to municipal support. It has been found that in artisanal quarters, product sales and educational masterclasses create a new added value for tourism, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the area. The first part of the research explained the role of crafts and artisans in urban development. The second part of the research performed a comparison of the operational patterns of current houses and centres of crafts, conducted an expert survey of administrators of the houses and centres of crafts and identified the demand for artisan products by the population and their interests in the development of the Jelgava Old Town street quarter. The research has concluded that in order for crafts to survive, national and local government support is needed for creating houses, centres, quarters and streets of crafts, improving the infrastructure for artisans to work and for tourists to visit them. Municipalities need to develop and implement a policy and a programme for craft development. Crafts have transformed into the cultural industry and in many autonomous communities, the craft competences have merged with tourism and contributed to a broad supply of products and have become important for the development of the area. Overall, the number of visitors to some Jelgava city tourism facilities increased in 2018, yet the total number of visitors decreased. This indicates that the city needs new local tourism facilities. Four operational patterns of houses and centres of crafts were identified in Latvia. Crafts as an important and supportive activity to be developed are incorporated in a number of European, national, Zemgale planning region, Jelgava city and region development strategies and programmes, thereby emphasizing the support needed for traditional artisan activities. Respondents highly rated the need for a house of crafts in the Jelgava Old Town street quarter – 45% expressed very convincing opinions, while 42% rated it as average. The main benefits in the context of craft functions pertain to the cultural and historical heritage and social value. Further research studies are needed to analyse the economic and creative/innovative functions of crafts.

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