Author: Rait Parve

On Tuesday, 22 April, Valmiera residents, pupils and industry experts gathered at the Valmiera Pārgauja State Gymnasium to address the environmental challenges of the Valmiera Pārgauja neighbourhood in an urban planning workshop.

Valmiera Municipality Government is a partner of the LIFE LATESTadapt project. Within the framework of this project, studies on problem areas in Valmiera related to climate change impacts – heat waves and flooding caused by heavy rainfall – were carried out in 2023 and 2024. The Stacijas street area, bordering Meža, Nākotnes and Zvaigžņu streets, was identified as one of the most significant areas affected by such challenges, experiencing both excessive overheating and flooding during extreme weather events.

The event started with an introduction to the site-specific problem areas, as well as more information on nature-based solutions that could contribute to adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the neighbourhood. Participants then went out in teams to explore the site, to look at and assess the situation in nature, and to start thinking about what could be implemented to reduce, for example, overheating during the hottest days of summer.

Participants worked together in groups to develop solutions to environmental challenges in the area. Everyone had access to a catalogue of nature-based solutions, which described the solutions in more detail, and the opportunity to ask questions to experts in the field, who provided support and helped them to understand more about the challenges of the area and the application of nature-based solutions.

The teams were tasked with developing a plan, within a given budget, to reduce the impact of the challenges posed by climate change on the territory. It should be mentioned that most of the participants (pupils, citizens) had not been familiar with the concept of “nature-based solutions” before, so the task was challenging for everyone. Each team planned to plant new trees, contributing to shading and thus to a decrease in temperature in the area near the trees. The students chose to plant them more on the school grounds, as the school courtyard heats up quickly in the warm spring and early autumn days, including the classrooms and the sports field. Residents, on the other hand, more often chose to plant trees along Stacijas street up to Meža street, as well as in the area of Nākotnes street. Also, solutions such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, greenery, green walls and roofs were used.

The experts evaluated the teams’ work, awarding nominations for “Most Refreshing Solution”, “Most Rational Solution”, “Most Precise Solution”, “Most Inspiring Solution” and “Most Scientifically Valid Solution”. We would like to thank everyone for their time and vision on how to develop the different areas of the Pārgaujas quarter, not only for the well-being of people, but also to protect and restore the threatened natural ecosystems! Citizens’ participation and opinions are very important for the future development of the area, as the solutions developed by the participants will contribute to the thematic plan “Valmiera State City Green Infrastructure Development Plan”, currently under preparation, and will be the basis for further actions by the municipality for the development of the neighbourhood. 

The workshop was organised in cooperation with the Baltic Environmental Forum and experts from the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development within the framework of the project LIFE LATESTadapt.

Information prepared by:

Elizabete Brūvere
Valmiera Municipality Government
Branding and public relations department
Environmental communication project manager

The Ministry of Environment of Smart Administration and Regional Development, together with partners from Latvia and Estonia, has established a consultation forum within the framework of the 7th work package of the project “Developing and demonstrating portfolio of nature based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Estonia and Latvia” (LIFE LATESTAdapt). The consultation forum can be found on the project website.

The consultation forum is intended for an audience in Latvia and Estonia, allowing both to find out answers to basic questions about nature-based solutions, and to ask various questions – general or about a specific territory in one of the countries. The forum allows for receiving answers from experts involved in the project and sparking discussions on its topics. The forum is available in Latvian, English, and Estonian.

If you wish to ask a question, you must fill out the survey form on the forum, noting the relationship of the question to one of the environmental factors, the specifics of the topic, and, if the question is about a specific territory, mark it on the map. Answers to questions will be published on the forum next to each specific question no later than a month after it was asked. There is also an option to sign up for notifications to find out when the answer has been published.

You can access the consultation forum here: https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/forum/

Through this consultation forum, residents, local government representatives, and specialists are invited to learn more about nature-based solutions, their importance, and find answers or at least recommendations for the questions that arise in order to implement projects with nature-based solutions. The consultation forum will be active until the summer of 2027.

---

On May 6, the Municipality of Cēsis will host a scenario workshop focused on planning and developing green infrastructure in the town’s historic old town. The event will take place at 10:00 AM in the Youth House at Rīgas Street 23.

The historic centre of Cēsis, while full of charm and cultural heritage, faces increasing challenges due to climate change. Identified as a significant urban heat island by the LIFE LATESTadapt project, the old town becomes uncomfortably hot during summer days, largely due to a lack of shade and green elements. Although efforts like the “Summer Street” initiative — which closes the old town to traffic on weekends — have been implemented to boost pedestrian activity, the area continues to see low foot traffic in the summer.

The upcoming scenario workshop aims to engage local stakeholders, residents, and experts in a collaborative discussion about the most suitable nature-based solutions to these challenges. Participants will explore ideas to reduce the heat island effect, improve stormwater management, enhance air quality, and create a more comfortable and attractive urban space for both locals and visitors.

This event is a key step in the development of the Cēsis Town Green Infrastructure Development Plan, contributing to broader efforts under the Latvia–Estonia LIFE LATESTadapt project. The project is co-financed by the EU LIFE Programme, the State Regional Development Agency, and Cēsis Municipality.

Participation is open by registration only, with the deadline set for April 28.
Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the registration form here:
👉 Registration Form

For more information, please contact:
Zane Pīpkalēja
Environmental Project Manager, Cēsis Municipality
📧 zane.pipkaleja@cesunovads.lv
📖 https://www.cesis.lv/lv/novads/aktualitates/zinas/vide/piedalies-cesu-vecpilsetas-zalo-teritoriju-planosanas-koprades-darbnica/

Join the workshop and be part of shaping a greener, more resilient future for Cēsis!

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.

In Viimsi municipality, at Mereranna tee L4, work has begun on the innovative LIFE LATESTadapt demo site! This project aims to create a smart and sustainable stormwater management solution, efficiently utilizing rainwater while enhancing the urban environment with greenery. 💧🌿

👷‍♀️ The project will include:
✅ An underground stormwater collection tank
✅ A stormwater retention pond
✅ Boardwalks and recreational areas 🚶‍♂️🌳
✅ New planting areas and landscaping 🌺🌾

The collected stormwater will be used for watering trees and street cleaning, while the new green space will provide a pleasant park area for visitors. 🌳🚶💚

🦺 Construction work is already underway – clearing has been completed, and the focus is now on building utility networks. 🏗️ The main contractor is ATEMO OÜ, and the project is scheduled for completion by October 2025. 📅

💶 The construction cost of the demo site is €602,680, of which the European Commission’s LIFE program contributes €299,595 and the Ministry of Climate supports €75,899.

Stay tuned for updates and enjoy a greener, smarter Viimsi in the future! 🌱💙

We are pleased to announce that our ongoing LIFE LATEST programme has been highlighted by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). It has been featured as a highlighted programme in the LIFE program brochure about Estonia, showcasing its continuous impact and contribution to sustainability.

This recognition underscores the ongoing efforts of our team and partners in developing and implementing climate adaptation solutions. We are grateful for this acknowledgment and remain committed to driving meaningful change.

Together, we continue working towards a greener and more resilient future! 🌿💚

📖 You can explore the LIFE program brochure:

Flooding poses a significant risk to communities, ecosystems, and economies, especially in vulnerable sub-catchment areas. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the LIFE LATESTadapt Project has made strides in developing effective strategies for flood risk mitigation in Estonia and Latvia. Recently, the project published a comprehensive catalogue of case-specific solutions aimed at addressing the challenges posed by flooding.

The Importance of a Tailored Approach

The catalogue serves as a pivotal resource for local authorities, stakeholders, and environmental planners. It focuses on case-specific solutions that are designed to be adaptable to the unique characteristics of each sub-catchment area. By providing targeted technical solutions, the project aims to enhance resilience against flooding while promoting sustainable management of water resources.

Key Features of the Catalogue

Demo Site Designs: The catalogue highlights innovative designs implemented at demo sites in Estonia and Latvia. These showcase real-world applications of flood mitigation strategies, demonstrating their effectiveness and practicality.

Find out more – https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/T2.3_LatestAdapt-Catalog-of-case-specific-solutions.pdf

In September, we had the chance to witness some of the most passionate and innovative minds come together at the EcoTech Hackathon 2024. Over three intense days, from September 19th to 21st, we watched teams dive deep into one of the biggest challenges urban areas face today – stormwater management.

Hosted by Garage48 and TalTech, the hackathon focused on finding smart, sustainable ways to manage stormwater, a growing issue as climate change leads to more frequent flooding in cities. The event attracted everyone from developers and engineers to environmental scientists, all eager to create solutions that would help cities become more resilient.

Here’s a look at the teams from this year’s hackathon:

Team 1: Street Flow – Monitoring Water Level with Street Cameras

Meet Team Street Flow, who are on a mission to make flood prevention smarter and more cost-effective! Recognising that traditional flood monitoring systems can be prohibitively expensive, they’re harnessing the power of existing street cameras. By analysing camera footage for flood levels, area, and volume, they’re creating a data-driven, machine-learning model that’s easy to maintain and implement. Their innovative approach doesn’t stop at flood prevention; in the future, it could also enhance snow condition assessments and traffic monitoring.

The team’s prize: 2000 EUR

Team 2: Smart Flood – Simplifying Urban Flood Risk Monitoring

Next up is Team Smart Flood – the innovators revolutionising urban drainage monitoring systems! Their mission is clear: detect blockages before they lead to flooding disasters. Using data from advanced sensors, they’ve developed a predictive modelling system that sends timely alerts to municipalities and decision-makers, helping them take proactive measures. This innovative solution not only safeguards communities but also saves cities significant costs associated with damage and repairs.

Their application features two perspectives: a citizen view that keeps the public informed and a stakeholder view tailored for decision-makers. With a strong technical team of developers, designers, and engineers driving this initiative, they’re ready to make waves in urban water management! Looking ahead, they plan to kickstart the project by purchasing their first sensors, with an initial investment of €150,000 needed for the first year. Smart Flood is set to transform the way cities manage stormwater runoff—one sensor at a time!

The team’s prize: 1500 EUR

Team 3: ProcureMate – Sustainable Procurement for Municipalities

Here’s Team ProcureMate, the group integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) into public procurement! They’re developing an AI-assisted chatbot that guides municipalities and stakeholders through the procurement maze, making it easier to adopt sustainable practices. By seamlessly incorporating NBS options into procurement platforms, they streamline the decision-making process. Having already validated their solution with Valga Municipality and Green Tiger, they’re ready to take it for a test drive. Their innovative approach promises to elevate public procurement to new green heights!

The team’s prize: 750 EUR

Team 4: Data Quality Control – Ensuring Reliable Stormwater Data

Last but not least, Team Data Quality Control, tackling the critical challenge of data reliability! In a world awash with information, ensuring data quality is paramount. Their prototype aims to develop a monitoring system that continuously evaluates datasets, identifying inconsistencies, anomalies, and missing data. By flagging potential issues in real-time, they help ensure that only trustworthy data is processed. Their system dives deep into the root causes of disruptions, whether it’s the data source, sensor errors, or transmission hiccups, promptly informing the right parties for resolution. Quality data means quality decisions.

The team’s prize: 750 EUR

Challenges Along the Way

While the EcoTech Hackathon was a big success, the journey wasn’t without its roadblocks. Teams like Smart Flood wrestled with making complex data models accessible to non-technical users, while Street Flow struggled to integrate diverse data sources, such as drones and static cameras, into a single coherent dashboard. Understanding the end user and how to make the technology easily scalable were recurring themes across all teams.

Despite these challenges, the passion and commitment of every participant were clear. The mentorship provided by experts such as Kristjan and Alar was instrumental in guiding teams through these hurdles, turning obstacles into learning opportunities.

As a final note, The EcoTech Hackathon 2024 proved that collaboration between tech innovators, urban planners, and environmental scientists could lead to real, impactful change. The solutions developed this weekend have the potential to reshape how cities manage stormwater and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

For those who missed this incredible event, don’t worry—there will be more opportunities to innovate with Garage48. In the meantime, stay connected through social media and make sure to follow our journey toward building smarter, more sustainable cities!

Written by Mari Hanikat

The EcoTech hackathon was brought to you by Garage48, TalTech Urban Water Systems research group and the LIFE LATESTadapt project.

Link to original article – https://garage48.org/blog/ecotech-hackathon-we-made-urban-water-smart

Join us for a groundbreaking hackathon focused on tackling one of today’s most pressing urban challenges: the sustainable management of stormwater runoff. Climate change is exacerbating flooding and water quality issues in urban areas, affecting both city infrastructure and receiving water bodies. Blue-green stormwater infrastructure, including Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), can help mitigate the problems. We need your ideas to innovate smart sensing technologies that enhance the performance, maintenance, and monitoring of NBS!

What We’ll Work On:

• Novel sensing: Develop advanced sensors for monitoring of NBS performance indicators, such as infiltration rates, hydraulic loading ratios, erosion, water quality and retention or detention performance. Think machine vision, image processing and drone surveys.

• Data Collection, Integration and Analysis: Create a system for processing and analyzing sensor data to inform maintenance and operational decisions. Integrate data from weather patterns, urban infrastructure, water quality and quantity sensors, and satellite imagery.

• Predictive Modeling: Build machine learning models to predict the impact of contaminated stormwater on receiving water bodies. Analyze historical data to forecast future trends and identify high-risk areas.

• Sustainable Infrastructure: Innovate in integrating NBS with existing urban infrastructure for holistic water management solutions using geospatial data and urban planning models. Think green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavements, and constructed wetlands.

• Community Engagement and Education: Develop tools and resources to raise awareness about the benefits of NBS and engage citizens in performance monitoring. Empower communities with information to drive behavior change and support grassroots efforts.

• Partnership and Collaboration: Create a platform for collaboration between government agencies, environmental organizations, research institutions, and local communities. Sharing data, resources, and expertise can accelerate the development and implementation of NBS.

Who Should Attend?

• Developers, data scientists, designers, and engineers of all kinds

• Environmental scientists and urban planners

• Anyone passionate about protecting our ecosystems and creating future-proof cities

You can join the hackathon as an individual or a team, with or without an idea. We will facilitate a Pitching and Matchmaking Pre-event on September 19th, during which you can learn more about the others and their ideas and choose the team you would like to work with.

Why Participate?

• Collaborate with like-minded individuals and experts

• Contribute to innovative solutions for a critical urban challenge

• Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies

• Make a tangible impact on our water bodies!

• Get an amazing hackathon experience, brought to you by Garage48 and TalTech UWS

🏆The prize fund for best ideas is 5000€!🏆

Register Now and be part of the solution to preserve our future!

Registration and further information: https://garage48.org/events/ecotechhackathon

The Hackathon is organised in the framework of the LIFE LATESTadapt project (https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/) and is funded by the LIFE programme of the European Union | Organised by: @ TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology and Garage48

In LIFE LATESTadapt Project, the guide has been published, addressing the establishment of rain garden vegetation using native plant species. The guide focuses on local specifics in Estonia and Latvia in terms of climate and soil conditions and selection of local native species in 2 countries. It provides general overview to help select the vegetation for a rain garden and to plan its establishment and maintenance in the region. The guide also includes a list of plant species that could potentially thrive in rain gardens under climatic conditions of Estonia and Latvia. The guide serves as an initial output of the Project, as several experiments with various plant species and plant communities are being conducted in a test bed continuously during the Project implementation. Therefore, the selection of recommended plant species will expand, and the actual performance of the listed species in real rain garden conditions will become clearer in the next years.

Find out more – https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/materials/