On April 22, Valmiera Municipality will host a landscape and urban planning workshop at the Valmiera Pārgauja State Gymnasium, inviting residents of Valmiera and the Pārgauja Quarter, as well as local institutions and businesses, to participate in shaping solutions to environmental challenges caused by climate change.
Recent studies conducted in 2023 and 2024 have identified areas in Valmiera that are vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather — specifically heatwaves and flooding due to heavy rainfall. The area around Stacijas Street, bordered by Meža, Nākotnes, and Zvaigžņu Streets, has been highlighted as one of the most affected, experiencing both overheating and flood risks during extreme weather events.
The upcoming workshop aims to address these challenges through nature-based solutions — urban design approaches that enhance human well-being while restoring natural ecosystems. These may include green infrastructure elements like bicycle parking, green roofs, permeable pavements, and shaded seating areas.
Participants will take part in an educational session on climate resilience and sustainable urban development, followed by a nature walk through the affected area. Experts from the Valmiera Municipality Development Authority will share insights into current issues and development needs. Attendees will then collaborate in small groups to co-create a vision for a climate-resilient Pārgauja, identifying suitable solutions and locations for implementation.
The workshop is part of the development of the “Valmiera State City Green Infrastructure Development Plan” and supports broader efforts under the LIFE LATESTadapt project — a Latvia–Estonia initiative co-financed by the EU LIFE Programme, the State Regional Development Agency, and Valmiera Municipality.
Participation is by registration only, with a deadline of April 13. Those interested are encouraged to apply via the provided questionnaire (please fill in the questionnaire HERE) and learn more about the environmental issues and proposed solutions for the area.
For more information, please contact Līga Bieziņa, Development Planner at Valmiera Municipality, at +371 26495997.