Riga, Feb 26 (LETA) - President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics has promulgated the Law on the Preservation and Protection of the Old Town of Kuldiga, adopted by the Saeima on February 12.

The law provides for a specific management and monitoring system for the historic center of Kuldiga, which will, among other things, promote cooperation between the state, local authorities and the public in the protection of cultural heritage.

The Old Town of Kuldiga is included in the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Law on the Historic Centre of the Town was adopted to determine the preservation, protection, development and full management of this cultural heritage site.

The law defines the area of the Old Town of Kuldiga and the protection zone as 173.18 hectares. In order to preserve the historic environment, restrictions on the construction and alteration of buildings in this area have been imposed and, from 2029, and it is mandatory to insure the real estate in the Old Town.

The law also requires these properties to reflect their special status as a cultural monument at a World Heritage site in the land register.

The Kuldiga municipality will have a broader right to get involved in real estate issues. To prevent the deterioration of heritage buildings, the municipality will also be able to expropriate properties that have been inadequately maintained or neglected.

The law provides for the establishment of the Kuldiga Old Town Cooperation Council, which will coordinate state, municipal and public involvement in heritage management. The law also sets specific requirements for the protection of the Old Town landscape and other elements of universal value and stipulates requirements for heritage impact assessments.

Doubts about the law have been expressed by business organizations, which are concerned whether the law will unduly restrict business opportunities in the city.