Deteriorated State of Balconies in Daugavpils
In the heart of Latvia's Latgale region, the municipality of Daugavpils is taking strides to enhance the energy efficiency of its multi-family houses. A significant focus of this initiative is the renovation of balconies, a task usually left to the residents themselves.
The cost of renovating a balcony in Daugavpils can range from €500 to €2,000, a figure that might deter some homeowners. However, Ieva Vērzemniece, Head of the Energy Efficiency Programme Department at Altum, emphasizes that the biggest challenge lies not in the cost, but in getting apartment owners to agree to implement balcony repair projects in their homes.
To address this issue, the energy efficiency program for multi-apartment buildings in Latgale offers funding for energy efficiency measures, including balcony renovations. This program is specifically targeted at apartment houses in the region, designed to address the unique challenges and interests of the area.
Ieva Vērzemniece explains that residents of houses where other parts of the building have already been renovated are more inclined to renovate their balconies. This trend suggests that encouraging renovation projects, such as balcony renovations, could be key to increasing the program's success.
The program also aims to increase the interest in using loans for the renovation of apartment houses. A special funding of EUR 10 million has been allocated for apartment houses from the Latgale region in the energy efficiency program.
In Daugavpils, many apartment buildings have balconies with damaged structures, inadequate railings, or worn-out finishes. To ensure the safety and condition of these balconies, building experts conduct visual inspections twice a year. As of now, no critically dangerous balconies have been identified in the city. If defects are found during inspections, residents are invited to discuss possible repairs.
Despite these efforts, the main concern among residents is not the condition of the balconies, but the distribution of maintenance costs. This is a challenge that the program, as well as the local government, must address to encourage more residents to participate in the renovation process.
The Latgale planning region has a special section in the energy efficiency program for multi-apartment buildings due to less interest in using loans for the renovation of apartment houses. This focus on the region is aimed at increasing the program's accessibility and relevance to its intended audience.
The municipality of Daugavpils is currently responsible for the renovation of balconies in multi-family houses and has provided a special funding of 10 million euros to improve energy efficiency. With these initiatives in place, the future of balcony renovations in Daugavpils looks promising.
Read also:
- Budget cuts at federal and state levels jeopardize advancements in fighting HIV and AIDS within Dallas County
- Strategies for Maintaining and Boosting Physical Activity as You Grow Older
- Understanding Prediabetes: A Precursory Condition to Diabetes
- Strategies for Strengthening a Nigerian Infant's Immune System
