The Role of Architecture in the physical and cultural segregation of Riga in second half of 19th century

Abstract

This article offers a critical reflection on the impact of the urban development on the social lives of Riga’s population throughout the second half of 19th century by exploring the role of architecture in the social and physical segregation of the city. Like many typical East-Central European cities in this period, Riga was ruled by the Baltic German elite who had a complete control over the government and all mayor industries that shaped the cities daily life. At the same time the native Latvian population belong to rural peasantry who had almost no rights. However, as result of serfdom emancipation and the rapid industrialization of the 19th century, Riga’s population experienced massive growth as many rural peasants came to city in hope for better lives. With it the population growth came the urban developments that would shape the urban fabric of the city for ages to come. The cultural notions and physical struggles manifested themselves into the urban texture that can be observe even today.

Through investigating the social and political landscapes and their relationships with the physical development of the city, complex relationships can be presented that shape our daily lives. Through the ideas of space and power by Paul-Michel Foucault and the embedded relationships between physical space and urban inequality we can investigate how the city was shaped according to the ruling class. In addition, like Newton’s third law each action is met with equal counter action, the proletariat responded with increase in socialistic revolutionary ideas and a nationalistic awakening that would slowly find itself in the urban fabric of Riga.