Author: Marta Rake-Lasmane

On June 5-6, more than 60 experts from various municipalities, ministries and other sectors gathered at a seminar entitled “Planning nature-based solutions for climate resilience – from local to regional level”.

The aim of the seminar was to promote the exchange of knowledge on the planning and implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) – from the development of urban green infrastructure to regional climate resilience.

The effects of climate change – increasing flood risk, extreme weather conditions and heat waves – particularly affect the urban environment. To ensure a sustainable and safe living environment in the future, it is essential to develop solutions that both protect people and strengthen nature’s ability to regulate itself. This is where nature-based solutions play a key role – they use natural processes such as rainwater absorption or the cooling effect of green areas.

On the first day of the seminar, participants learned about good practice examples and approaches from the LATESTadapt and IMPETUS projects, the experience of Riga, Valmiera and Cēsis in developing green infrastructure, as well as climate change adaptation measures at the regional level, learning about the plans of the Zemgale planning region.

On the second day of the seminar, a joint study trip was organized, where we were delighted to see how many and how varied DBRs have already been implemented in Riga in both the private and public sectors, for example, as the best option in a city where, due to various circumstances, it is not possible to connect to the city’s rainwater drainage system. What we saw in several neighborhoods of Riga reinforced our conviction that nature-based solutions are not just “green thinking” — they are practical, sustainable, and forward-looking measures that help adapt to climate challenges while improving quality of life.

More information is available on the Baltic Environmental Forum website

The seminar was organized by the Baltic Environmental Forum in implementation of the following projects:

“Dynamic information management for climate change adaptation measures in a cross-sectoral context in European regions” (IMPETUS, NR 101037084), funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, https://climate-impetus. eu/
“Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia” (LIFE21-CCA-EE-LIFE LATESTadapt, NR 101074438), co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development and the Estonian Ministry of Climate https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/lv/sakuma-lapa/

The report of the seminar is available here

On 27 May, Valmiera hosted a landscape and urban planning workshop “Valmiera’s Green Infrastructure Development Plan”. The workshop brought together representatives from various fields and citizens to discuss and propose solutions for the development of Valmiera’s urban green infrastructure.

The workshop was led by Kristīne Dreija, landscape architect and project manager at Grupa 93 Ltd, the developer of the thematic plan “Valmiera State City Green Infrastructure Development Plan”. In the introductory part, the participants were introduced to the concept of greening plans, their necessity and role in the development of the city.

The workshop continued in several working groups, with the task to find a greening plan or best practice examples in other cities around the world, and to suggest what could be planned or implemented in Valmiera. How do participants see Valmiera in 2050? The answers were very diverse – improved, more comfortable, more modern, with ten times more cyclists, an inclusive environment for both people and nature, with interesting courtyards of apartment buildings, green roofs and walls in the urban environment and most importantly – river Gauja is the main street of the city, it flows through the city and its banks are still green, with trees and shrubs.

The main task of the workshop was to mark on a map of the city which activities (recreational, daily, social) could be planned in the different zones. Among the activities proposed, the teams chose areas where they could locate, for example, a community garden, water attractions, sports activities, fishing, jogging, dog walking, cycling or picnics in nature. Similarly, nature-based solutions could be planned in the urban environment. Green walls or green roofs, permeable pavements and greenery were the most common solutions chosen by the teams.

There was a lot of lively discussion among the teams about potential solutions to include in their vision for the future of the city. The teams’ presentations of their ideas included a variety of ideas on how to improve or increase the amount of green space in the city, as well as how to reduce the impact of environmental problems on a given area, such as reducing the risk of heat islands or flooding, by using nature-based solutions.

The solutions presented were interesting and creative, placed in different locations around the city, such as:

• a walking trail in the air above the Rātsupīte River;
• movable potted trees;
• installing green walls on buildings in urban areas;
• greening the whole length of Riga Street, especially where the width of the footpath allows it to be reduced and replaced by greenery;
• create a recreation area on both sides of the Gauja River, create a connection between the bridges;
• create shallow pools to cool off in hot weather;
• lay permeable pavements in areas that flood frequently;
• storing rainwater for urban maintenance;
• create mini squares;
• outdoor exercise facilities;
• think about biodiversity in the urban environment through greening.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to urban planning! More workshops with citizens’ involvement and participation are expected in 2025. It is planned that during the celebration of Valmiera’s 742nd birthday, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about nature-based solutions and their application in the urban environment.

Valmiera Municipality Government is a partner of the LIFE LATESTadapt project of the European Union LIFE Programme. In the framework of this project, research has been carried out in 2023 and 2024 on environmental problem areas in Valmiera related to climate change impacts – heat waves and flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Based on the data obtained from the research, the thematic planning “Valmiera State City Green Infrastructure Development Plan” is being developed.

The thematic planning will provide for a unified network of green infrastructure in Valmiera, solutions to prevent flood risks caused by storm water in Valmiera’s urban environment, to reduce the heat island effect, as well as to preserve biodiversity, while respecting the well-being of the population. Involvement of various stakeholders – residents, professionals, entrepreneurs – is crucial for the full development of the thematic plan.

The workshop was organised within the framework of the European Union LIFE Programme project “Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia” (LIFE LATESTadapt) with co-financing from the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, National Digital Development Agency and Valmiera Municipality.

Information prepared by:
Elizabete Brūvere
Valmiera Municipality Government
Brading and public relations department
Environmental communication project manager

On 6 May, Cesis Youth House hosted a co-creation workshop where local residents, experts and municipality representatives worked together to find solutions to improve the public outdoor space of Cesis Old Town. The event was organised in cooperation between the Municipality of Cesis, the Baltic Environmental Forum and the Ministry of Regional Development, within the LIFE LATESTadapt project.

The workshop analysed the environmental challenges of the Old Town – heat waves, insufficient shading, poor green infrastructure and water retention problems – and jointly sought nature-based solutions to mitigate these problems. Participants proposed ideas for green spaces, green roofs and walls, storm water management and sustainable mobility in Riga and Vaļņu streets.

The event highlighted the importance of public participation in such initiatives and listened to residents’ suggestions and visions for the Old Town as a sustainable, green and attractive living environment. The results of the event will be used as a basis for further planning and experimentation in the Old Town.

The workshop is organised by the Municipality of Cesis in cooperation with the Baltic Environmental Forum and the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, within the LIFE LATESTadapt project. The project is implemented with the co-financing of the LIFE Programme of the European Union, the State Digital Development Agency and the Municipality of Cesis. It aims to develop and demonstrate nature- and technology-based solutions for urban resilience to climate change in Latvia and Estonia.

On 8 May, the Riga City Municipality Urban Development Department organised an educational workshop for Grade 8 students of the 89th Secondary School on implementing nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change risks and promote climate resilience. The workshop took place in the framework of the development of the Riga Urban Greening Plan 2027-2031. 

The workshop informed students about climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services issues, as well as the role of nature-based solutions in addressing different challenges. During the workshop, students mapped the school site, assessed the different challenges in the school site (heat, water accumulation, storm water drainage) and how these challenges can be addressed with nature-based solutions. During the workshop, students worked in groups and developed concrete solutions for the school grounds. At the end of the workshop, students presented the solutions developed by each group, explained their choices and considerations, and calculated the cost of the solution. 

The pupils proposed different solutions from their own point of view and according to their interests, trying to improve the environment in the areas of the school where they prefer to be. The exercise gave pupils a broader perspective on school environmental issues.