On 11 January, a large-scale open-air exhibition of industrial construction “Buildings of the Century” was opened in Riga, near the “Origo” shopping centre. LVM Zemes dzīles mineral materials were used in the construction of one of the facilities on display at the exhibition – the ambitious Ķekava bypass.
During the opening of the exhibition, it was emphasized that close cooperation between customers and resource extraction entrepreneurs and high-quality dialogue in the creation of a competitive, responsible mining industry that promotes the achievement of climate goals are the key aspects for sustainable development of industrial construction.
Addressing the organizers, partners and visitors of the exhibition, Kristīne Ansone, Director of LVM Zemes dzīles, expressed her satisfaction with the achievements in the Latvian industrial construction: “LVM Zemes dzīles, as the largest supplier of resources for industrial construction, is happy to be a part of such an important sector of the national economy and to see these aesthetically and functionally significant results. It also forces us to think in the long term and take responsibility for the development of the industry's competitiveness and the achievement of the climate goals of the European Green Deal. The course of economic transformation undertaken by Latvia and the implementation of a sustainable industrial strategy require access to sustainable raw materials throughout the mineral value chain cycle from exploration to reclamation. Resource extraction processes must be transparent and the quality of resources – clearly traceable. Only by working closely together to make responsible decisions about planning resource availability and following the principles of sustainable resource extraction will we ensure growth today and a better future for future generations who will use these structures. To ensure the sustainable development of the industry, public support and understanding of the current situation are becoming more and more important.”
For the public to better understand the value of large and important buildings and structures, the association “Building Design and Construction council” already for the seventh year has been organizing a travelling exhibition. Exhibition stands feature photographs carefully selected for each facility to highlight their aesthetic and functional values, scale, and quality. Among the projects are success stories, global innovations, examples of private initiatives, delicate restoration works, interiors of universal design, combining specialist knowledge and hard work.
Several important projects can be seen at the exhibition. For example, the Ķekava bypass, which is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the entire Baltics. LVM Zemes dzīles is one of the most important suppliers of resources for the implementation of the project. Ķekava bypass is the first public-private partnership project in Latvia. It will be put into operation at the end of 2023 with a total length of almost 100 km. The National Botanical Garden is located in Salaspils on an area of 129 ha. It has one of the largest collections of plants in North-Eastern Europe – about 13 000 plants. In turn, Liepāja's Karaosta area is one of the examples of the coexistence of modernity and history: a new factory in Karosta, which integrates a fragment of a 19th century building. Āgenskalns Market – an urban block in the Pārdaugava environment, revived with laconic, unobtrusive techniques that respect historical architecture. At the Mežs sports field in Valmiera, a modern understanding of high-quality, innovative outdoor space has been implemented for the first time in Latvia. The restored Smiltene Church, the wooden building of the New Ogre Central Library, the opening of the Free State Treasure House in Rēzekne, the construction of the Riga-Skulte railway overpass and other facilities that can be viewed at the exhibition at the “Origo” shopping centre in Riga.
