A formal village/neighbourhood planning process is typically focused on three planning levels (national, regional and local) and is usually linked with administrative units of the territory (state, region or municipality). The local planning level (village or neighbourhood) “pocket plan” is a development challenge for spatial planners. The small coastal village Tuja in Latvia was taken as a pilot territory for “pocket planning” due to the unique location; biodiversity and ecosystems; significant natural, cultural, economic and social values; specific interests; and the needs of the involved local society. All these factors create a dynamic flow of data and information. Geographic information systems (GIS) are widely used as planning support systems. GISs for pocket plans must accommodate the special needs of communities in villages and neighbourhoods. Ensuring the availability of information in dynamic real time is an opportunity to build both community integration in specific environments and to understand the future plans of the territory. Access to a WEB-GIS (internet GIS) provides possibilities for every person with a mobile phone to use and update information. Static and statistical information is generally used for spatial planning. For pocket plans, the data and information flow has to be dynamic and has to interact with non-professional users. The special wishes and needs of every member of a community must be accommodated by a pocket plan for the well-being of the people and the sustainability of the surrounding territory. Small territory planning involves a very narrow circle of individuals or communities that identify spatial development needs for the future, which includes the socio-economic, cultural, historical, environmental and climate change scenarios. In order to assess the development opportunities and needs of such areas, the detection, accumulation and monitoring of reliable data is necessary. Methodically derived data (facts) provide objectivity and transparency. Currently, as information between the present and the past is able to circulate very fast, analysis of the current situation to forecast the future and show different constructed realities (scenarios) using a GIS is necessary. Therefore, to explore and determine a local needs-based and smart spatial planning approach, we must identify indicators that can be used for the short-term and long-term analysis of specific territories in coastal areas.

For exploring and discovering the main knowledge, experience and practices, four main issues were analyzed: what were the goals of the involved participants regarding the community involvement in the spatial and community planning; what methods were used to extend the involvement of community members; what problems and obstacles did the project participants face, and what were the main lessons learned. This study provides reflections (analysis, comparison and evaluation) on community involvement in participatory process in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea Region by investigating the methods, which were used in community involvement in project participating countries; and its influence in improving local governance of the local territory development.

Recognising the fact that economic realities change the world faster than global politics, in 2010 the European Commission approved the strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, called EUROPE 2020, in order to promote greater economic independence and achieve a more sustainable future. The strategy puts forward three mutually reinforcing priorities: (P1) Smart Growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation; (P2) Sustainable Growth: Promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy; (P3) Inclusive Growth: Promoting a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion. In the context of EUROPE 2020, the Smart Specialisation Strategy in Latvia (RIS3) has been set up and introduced as a strategic document for the development of support mechanisms of high value-added economic growth, including the maritime technology sector. The present study explores the mechanisms for the introduction of Blue Growth and RIS3 Strategies, which should be used to develop the maritime technology industry by assessing the efficiency of these mechanisms. Thus, the study addresses the issues of the implementation of modern technologies in the coastal municipalities and planning regions of Latvia.

The present scientific paper is the fourth part and continuation of the in-depth scientific study of the developed system of engineering economic indicators, where the authors obtain results from the scientific research presented in a series of works on the development of the nanotechnologies and advanced materials industry in science and entrepreneurship in Latvia. Part Four determines the essential legal indicators of the development of nano-field at the macro, micro, and meso development levels of the economic environment in Latvia. The paper provides the interaction of new identified indicators of nano-field in terms of further scientific and practical activities. Latvia is analysed in comparison with other countries in the world.

The research provides an insight into village development planning, as well as considers village planning from the perspective of the national planning framework. Local settings of village development have also been taken into account. The research provides information about possible approaches for local community involvement in development decision-making. The article aims at considering the current situation of the involvement of local communities in the advancement of local territories and at presenting the proposals for public involvement models. Analysis, logical and historical data access methods, induction and deduction have been used in the present research.