Since the Soviets departed from Karosta in the nineties, a Ghost Town is left with less
one fourth of the former population, an old prison, a beautiful Orthodox Cathedral, vernacular farmsteads and empty brutalistic apartment blocks, of which the latter mainly determine the appearance of Karosta. However, due to the continuous growth in the region, international attention has been drawn to the Ghost Town. To overcome lingering challenges and hardships, an urban core is needed in the redevelopment plan of Karosta, that will act as a main attraction of the town and will help to bring back the life to this greater part of Liepaja city.

 

In order to make a proposed cultural center function quiteout of the blue - in fostering and co-ordinating cultural activities in the town, as well as in working as an attraction for both locals and tourist - it is necessary
to define the qualities and failures of this region. Because of the diverse history and different cultures that have been in power, Liepaja’s region is a fragmented patchwork in architecture, in landscape, in infrastructure, in industry and in cultural disciplines. Although, the high contrast between old and new is the typical and prosperous characte-ristic which is to be conserved as it is. Solely a on overarching concept is needed, not only to retain, but also to excel these enriching cultural fragments. Karosta needs a fertile and self-assertive conjunction with Liepaja city and with its outer (inter)national span.