Potentials and planning strategies for a positive development

Population
In year 2006 Marciena registered 1164 inhabitants (table 1). Compare this
with the situation just before Soviet-union’s downfall: in year 1990 there
lived approximately 2600 inhabitants in Marciena.
Table 1. Population in Marciena, year 1990 and 2006 (persons) 15
1990 2006
Marciena 2600 1164
The loss of inhabitants was severe, a halving with 1436 persons or 55
percent since the Soviet army left Marciena.
After 1991 the site was giving back to Latvia state. People, who had relatives
back in Russia, moved “next day”. 16 Moreover, high administrative
personnel have to leave Latvia, voluntary or by order: because Latvia government
evacuated Russians saying that the have to leave the state (and
move to Russia).
Is the population still decreasing? No, said a key person during the interviews:
The population in Marciena is not decreasing. 17 It’s pretty stable, but
some goes to Ireland. Especially the youths leaves Marciena when applying
for education in other cities. This problem will be discussed later in the text.
15 Jurane (2007),
16 Sundin (2007).
17 Ibid.
17