Author: Marta Rake-Lasmane

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Co-creation workshop for green infrastructure development in Cesis Old Town

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.

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Students learn about the implementation of nature-based solutions at Riga 89 Secondary School

Students learn about the implementation of nature-based solutions at Riga 89 Secondary School 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.

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.