Libava (nowadays Liepāja) obtained a strategic significance in the Russian Empire. Building developed towards the south of the port canal. In 1798 the municipality repurchased the residential house at 21 Great Street and in 1800 after reconstruction Town Hall was established in this building. Near New Market administrative and education centers were formed. In Libava after bridge reconstruction traffic improvement developed building of small factories. On the south-west coast a pilots’ tower was built (1821). The “New Gate” was pulled down (1830) and a permanent wooden bridge was built across the canal. Near New Market a finance centre and a medical institution was established. The highway Libava–Grobin (1841) significantly improved traffic. Modifications in the social area changed people’s attitude to nature. Special attention was paid to funkcional issues, greening and arranging the city environment. Man-made alleys, squares and public gardens became major city components and replaced the natural environment and became as an indispensable part of city improvement. Urban planning analysis and cognition of architectural spatial composition will help to find solutions for harmonious Liepaja land use development and the city’s identity preservation.