With Changes in Law, Time Savings in Construction are Hoped For
Proposed changes in Latvian construction laws are aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays by allowing parallel processing of construction and design.
Recent discussions in Latvia's Saeima have centered around nine new proposals aimed at reducing bureaucracy, with significant focus on the construction sector. A key proposal suggests that construction and design can occur concurrently, allowing for a more efficient process where builders can begin work on already approved segments while finalizing designs for other parts of the project. This change is seen as a major step towards expediting the often lengthy construction approval process.
Olga Feldmane, Director of the Construction Policy Department at the Ministry of Economics, explained that the intention is not to artificially speed up design processes but to mitigate risks associated with construction timing. By introducing a separate safety assessment phase—where experts evaluate structural loading—projects can proceed without undue delay. Once constructors have a minimally complete design, they can navigate the approval system and begin work without waiting for the entire design process to be finalized.
This initiative marks a significant potential shift in how construction projects are managed in Latvia, offering a streamlined approach that could not only save time but also enhance the overall safety and reliability of construction work. Should these proposals be enacted, they could have broad implications for the construction industry's efficiency and the wider economic landscape in Latvia.