Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) services in Latvia nowadays provide not only for a variety of navigation and surveying needs, but also they are used in agricultural production. The time period when satellite navigation systems equipment and services in agricultural businesses appeared in Latvia and were treated as objects of interest and research has passed. GNSS equipment and enabling modules are purchased, installed and used in agricultural equipment extending their capabilities. A growing number of entrepreneurs provide for this service segment. In the publication of 2014, the authors pointed out that a preparatory and investigation phase in using precision farming systems (including GNSS technology related to them) in Latvia has come to an end transforming into massive practical implementation in the process of agricultural business. The analysis of the obtained information confirmed that during the last year further satellite navigation technology usage in agricultural machinery has grown from simple and approximate level usage to high accuracy and stability navigation services. Growth dynamics and its further development forecasted earlier by the authors coincided with the last year’s actual development indicators of a stable and growing demand for global navigation system services for farming machinery and technical solutions for their user segment. The aim of the article is to justify the forecast expressed in the last year’s publication regarding the increase of the use of precision farming systems thus confirming the fact that their application has moved from a research phase to massive practical implementation and operation in agricultural production.

Revitalization is a set of urban and planning activities, coordinated by local self-government administration, aim of which is a social, architectural, planning and economical advantageous transformation of the specific area of the municipality, being in a state of crisis resulting from economic and social factors. Whereas, the renewal of the countryside is understood as shaping the living conditions of people in rural areas, with the local community as an animator and subject. The combination of revitalization and renewal of rural areas is a particularly important and urgent task, connected with rural and architectural chaos, decline of cultural context and local tradition. The aim of the article is to examine information needs for the renewal and revitalization of rural areas, and the possibilities of satisfying these needs using available spatial information systems. The first part of the paper contains an analysis of information needs in the field of renewal and revitalization of rural areas, created on the basis of literature and valid legal provisions. The created information resource illustrates the scope of data necessary for proper planning of renewal and revitalization of rural areas. In the second part, specific information needs were compared with the capabilities of existing spatial information systems. The possibility of obtaining free of expense information necessary for renewal and revitalization of rural areas was analysed. Systems which may be useful in the implementation of related activities are also indicated.

Economic and social problems and emerged threat to human life are the main reasons for abandonment of buildings or even the whole cities in different countries. Mainly abandoned buildings are found in the USA and in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are analysed in the article; their condition is assessed and the ways for handling are proposed. The legal status and the purpose of use of abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are also defined. There are 46 abandoned buildings in Kaunas city. The majority of them are located in Šančiai neighbourhood, but the least amount – in Vilijampolė and Gričiupis neighbourhoods. As regards the purpose of the use, 85 percent of abandoned buildings in Kaunas city are attributed to non-residential buildings, and 44 percent of them are former industrial buildings. Due to the condition of constructions, threat to people and environment, as well as visual appearance, the state of 72 percent of abandoned buildings is poor. 52 percent of abandoned buildings are ascribed to be demolished, while the remaining 48 percent of buildings could be repaired or renovated.