Category: LIFE

Climate change is no longer a future challenge for cities – it is already shaping urban life today. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought are becoming more frequent, putting pressure on urban infrastructure and affecting people’s health and wellbeing. One of the most effective ways cities can adapt is by strengthening urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services it provides.

Green infrastructure (GI) refers to strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas that includes green and blue spaces of all types and sizes. GI elements are not just “nice to have” – they perform ecological, as well as social functions essential for well-being of citizens.

Functions that green infrastructure provides, often referred as “ecosystem services” (ES) include:

• cooling the city during summer heat,
• absorbing and slowing down stormwater to reduce flooding,
• improving air quality,
• supporting biodiversity,
• providing spaces for recreation and benefits for the mental wellbeing of people.

What does it mean to map and assess GI and ES?

Mapping GI means identifying where green elements are located across the city and how they are connected. This can include everything from large urban forests and parks to small but important features like roadside trees, green yards or pocket parks. Mapping of the ES mean identifying what services are supplied by which elements and where.

Why is this important for planning of climate change resilient cities?

Mapping of GI and ES provides crucial information for cities in climate adaptation context. First, mapping of GI and ES enables assessing the current situation. By understanding where GI exists already and where it is most needed, city can make several key decisions, including ones that:

• help to protect important GI areas from other development interests by adjusting zoning,
• prioritize greening actions where climate risks are the highest,
• design nature-based solutions and other interventions that help to address real local problems based on data and scientific evidence,
• use limited space and resources more strategically.

In short, assessing green infrastructure and ecosystem services helps cities move from general ambitions to smart, climate-responsive greening. It ensures that Greening Plans are not only about adding more green, but about placing the right green in the right places to support climate adaptation and improve quality of life for everyone.

Mapping of green infrastructure and ecosystem services in LIFE LATESTadapt

Within LIFE LATESTadapt project three Latvian cities – Riga, Cēsis and Valmiera – are developing Greening plans with aim to increase their climate resilience. Mapping of GI and ES was performed for all three municipalities by Baltic Environmental Forum – Latvia team in order to provide crucial background information that will help to guide further development of the Greening plans in an evidence-based way. The assessments helped to identify the contribution of existing GI to climate adaptation through the supply of key ES – such as microclimate regulation and regulation of water flows. Assessment of ES also included participatory mapping as urban GI provides a wide range of non-material benefits for the well-being of people or so called “culture ecosystem services”. Furthermore, a prioritization of areas with high risk of flooding and heat island effects were carried out, highlight locations where additional greening measures and nature-based solutions are most needed.

Currently all three cities are doing extensive work to draft their Greening plans that are expected to be finalised by August 2026. Strategic goals and measurable targets, as well as a list of actions and priorities for urban greening, are developed by municipalities based on the results of GI mapping and assessment, as well as proposals form series of expert meetings, stakeholder engagement events, and scenario-building workshops organised by the LIFE LATESTadapt project.

Results on the mapping of ecosystem services and green infrastructure is available in geoportal (in Latvian): https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5b1e464b657846078fd03eb237d1fc3c/page/Galven%C4%81_lapa?draft=true

On 28 January, a large‑scale co‑creation event “Green Urban Structure” took place at the Valmiera Cultural Centre, bringing together residents, industry experts and local government representatives to jointly plan the development of the city’s green infrastructure. The event was part of the activities of the European Union’s LIFE programme project “LIFE LATESTadapt”.

The main goal of the event was to present the latest research findings to the public and promote discussion on urban climate resilience, the preservation of natural foundations and smart, nature‑based solutions.

In the first part of the discussion, representatives from Valmiera and Cēsis municipalities shared their practical experience in implementing green infrastructure. Valmiera highlighted both completed and planned projects, such as Strauta Street, the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences square and the planned changes on Cēsu Street. Meanwhile, the experience of Cēsis showed that greenery in the city is not evenly distributed – heat‑island maps indicate problematic areas around the market, the stadium and the old town, where improvements are needed to enhance residents’ well-being. Cēsis also shared its innovative methods used during expert discussions, including artificial intelligence (AI) visual illustrations.

SIA “Grupa93” presented the concept for Valmiera’s green infrastructure development plan, based on a unique four‑ring system designed to create optimal “well‑being corridors”:

– Gauja Ring: Preservation and balancing of the natural foundation;
– Central Ring: A multifunctional environment for recreation and health;
– Neighbourhood Ring: Improvement of street space, giving priority to pedestrians and mobility;
– City Ring: Street‑space improvements and mobility solutions.

During the discussions, experts and residents focused on specific aspects of urban planning. Regarding stormwater management, it was recognised that instead of expensive treatment facilities, it is more effective to use bioswales and rain gardens, where plants naturally purify the water. Permeable surfaces were recommended for parking areas. Experts emphasised the need to “mix” tree species in urban areas (such as linden, hornbeam and black pine) to reduce the spread of plant diseases and stressed that the work should be entrusted to professional arborists.

One of the proposed solutions for creating space for green zones or cycling infrastructure was the introduction of one‑way streets in the city’s traffic system. “Society is changing – young people are increasingly choosing bicycles, so we need to create a suitable and safe environment, adapting standards to the specific scale and intensity of Valmiera,” participants concluded.

The event was organised as part of the LIFE programme project “LIFE LATESTadapt”, co‑financed by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development and Valmiera Municipality.

The year 2025 marked an important intermediate phase for the LIFE LATESTadapt project, focusing on the planning and implementation of nature-based solutions (NbS), the development of demonstration sites, and strong engagement with municipalities, experts, and local communities in Estonia and Latvia. Several partner cities progressed from preparatory work to practical implementation, laying a solid foundation for the following project years.

Planning and Decision Support for Flood-Resilient Nature-Based Solutions

Under the leadership of Tallinn University of Technology, test group meetings were launched to pilot a methodology for assessing risks related to pluvial (stormwater) flooding. In addition to the LATESTadapt partner cities, other interested municipalities and representatives of the Ministry of Climate participated, supporting wider knowledge exchange and cooperation. Project results were also applied in professional training programmes and presented at seminars and workshops, contributing to capacity building in climate adaptation.

High-Potential Plant Communities for Urban Flood Resilience

In 2025, Nordic Botanical tested approximately 62 native plant species under rain-garden conditions. Based on these tests, guidance was provided to municipalities on mapping planting zones and selecting suitable plant communities to enhance urban flood resilience through nature-based solutions.

Demonstration Sites of Nature-Based Solutions

All partner municipalities either carried out preparatory activities for demonstration sites, and several of them constructed demo sites already. More specifically:

Activities in Estonia – Demonstration Sites

In Estonia, activities combined technical planning, construction works, and community engagement to ensure that solutions respond to local needs and spatial contexts.

• Haapsalu
  – The design of the pilot site was finalised, and preparations for construction continued. Community involvement played an important role, including a joint engagement event with local residents. The site was also visited by architects and international partners, and a flood preparedness exercise, “November Storm 2025,” was organised to raise awareness among residents.
• Viimsi
  – In the Haabneeme borough, a demonstration site was completed in autumn 2025. A previously underused green area was transformed into a multifunctional public space featuring a nature-based stormwater management system with retention tanks and a pond, used for irrigating greenery and maintenance. The site also includes a boardwalk, urban furniture, and biodiversity-supporting elements, demonstrating how NbS can improve both environmental conditions and the quality of public space.
• Narva
  – Practical implementation of the pilot site began in 2025 with the construction of a multifunctional drainage system that combines stormwater collection, nature-based purification, and firefighting water storage. Despite an exceptionally rainy summer, most works were completed within budget, with final testing continuing in 2026.
• Rakvere
  – A detailed design for reconstructing the outflow of the Rahvaaed ponds was completed, aiming to improve water quality, reduce nitrate pollution, and increase flood resilience. A stakeholder meeting was held in autumn, and all necessary approvals and the building permit were obtained by the end of the year.
• Võru
  -Activities focused on preparatory work. Due to higher-than-expected procurement costs and land ownership issues, the scope of works was revised, and a new procurement is planned for 2026.

Activities in Latvia – Demonstration Sites

In Latvia, Riga, Valmiera, and Cēsis prepared construction design projects and carried out other preparatory work for demonstration sites to be implemented in 2026.

• Valmiera
  – Nature-based solutions were integrated into urban development planning through close cooperation with planners, experts, and residents. Implementation scenarios, functional parameters for green infrastructure, and a thematic action plan with budget impact assessment were prepared. Environmental education activities played a key role.

• Riga
  – A feasibility study and detailed design documentation were completed for the Tērbatas Street demonstration site, identifying cost-effective green infrastructure solutions such as green walls, rain gardens, parklets, and bio-swales. In parallel, the strategic framework for the Riga Urban Greening Plan 2027–2031 was developed. Extensive stakeholder engagement activities, including seminars and workshops, supported the planning process.

Educational and informational materials for stakeholders

The Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia focused on education, community engagement, and knowledge sharing. Key achievements included the development of practical educational materials for kindergartens and primary schools, support for municipal resident engagement activities, and the preparation of an informational leaflet for private property owners on stormwater-related nature-based solutions. The organisation also participated in study visits and cross-project learning activities.

 Co-creation workshops

Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia organised scenario-building workshops involving residents, youth, and experts, helping to identify locally tailored solutions for reducing flood risks and urban heat island effects.  in Riga, Cēsis, and Valmiera. Latvian-language catalogue of nature-based solutions was developed, presenting 16 solutions with practical factsheets.

Replication and Knowledge Transfer

Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development launched  the development of integrated guidelines to support the implementation of nature-based solutions throughout their life cycle. As a key outcome of the LIFE LATESTadapt project,he guidelines will be completed in 2026 and made available in Estonian, Latvian, and English.

In 2025, several international seminars, training events, and participatory workshops were organised, addressing topics such as spatial planning for NbS, urban heat risk mitigation, and climate-resilient stormwater management. Among others Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development  and Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia organised seminars in cooperation with the IMPETUS project to disseminate project results and practical experience.

Insights from these activities were compiled into a stakeholder engagement report, and a consultation forum was established to support ongoing dialogue between municipalities, experts, and stakeholders.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2025 activities demonstrated the strong value of the LIFE LATESTadapt project in advancing climate-resilient urban development through nature-based solutions. Close cooperation between municipalities, experts, and local communities in Estonia and Latvia created a solid foundation for implementation, monitoring, and the scaling up of solutions in the coming years.

One of the key outcomes of the LIFE LATESTadapt project is the development of integrated guidelines for the planning and management of nature-based solutions, building on the experience gained during the project implementation in Latvia and Estonia. The guidelines will be developed in Latvian, Estonian and English and will be available in both electronic and printed formats.

The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia is the leading partner of Work Package 7, which aims to ensure the sustainability, replicability and long-term practical use of the project’s results. The development of the integrated guidelines is being carried out within the framework of this work package. As a result of a public procurement procedure, ALPS ainavu darbnīca Ltd. was selected as the developer of the guidelines and a contract for the commencement of work was signed in January 2026. Several meetings have already taken place with both the developers and the work package partners. The guidelines must be developed by the end of this year.

The guidelines will serve as a practical support tool for municipal specialists, spatial planners, architects, project managers, representatives of public administration and other stakeholders involved in urban development and the implementation of climate change adaptation measures.

The guidelines will compile the results of the project’s work packages, including data, conclusions, training materials and experiences from municipalities where demonstration sites are being implemented. They will cover the entire life cycle of nature-based solutions – from problem identification and public engagement to implementation, maintenance, monitoring and promotion of the solutions.

The guidelines will provide a clear roadmap for municipalities, describing sequential planning and governance steps, data use, cost–benefit analyses and the impacts of the solutions on flood and heat risk reduction, biodiversity enhancement and urban greening.

The material will include good practice examples from Latvia and Estonia as well as a wide range of nature-based solutions – such as parks, rain gardens, green roofs, tree rows, urban meadows, wetlands, green corridors and other solutions that are already being tested at the project’s demonstration sites.

In addition, the guidelines will develop criteria for the selection and evaluation of nature-based solutions, including their inclusion in participatory budgeting projects and European Union funding programmes, while ensuring compliance with the “Do No Significant Harm” principle.

The guidelines will be disseminated with the support of the project partners through municipalities, public authorities, seminars and other events, and will also be freely available online.

On November 25, an online seminar titled “Climate-Resilient and Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions” (in Estonian) took place in Estonia. The seminar invited architects, builders, and specialists interested in technical solutions.

The seminar was based on the results of several international projects, such as Interreg BSR NOAH, Interreg BSR CityBlues, Interreg CB MUSTBE, LIFE IP BuildEST, and LIFE LATESTadapt, to illustrate the risks and opportunities associated with implementing nature-inspired stormwater solutions. It was organized in cooperation with the Estonian project BuildEST.

The first part of the seminar focused on defining opportunities and needs for implementing sustainable stormwater solutions, considering Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These can be defined as measures taken to protect, manage, and enhance the resilience of natural and modified ecosystems. They are often presented as universal, multifunctional, and unquestionable risk-reduction measures capable of addressing risks such as flooding, drought, water quality, biodiversity, public well-being, and more. The discussion also covered reasons why society hesitates to adopt NBS and the uncertainties that need to be considered.

Next, attention was given to specific solutions that could be implemented in the Baltic region, along with a risk analysis highlighting the main obstacles that sometimes prevent NBS from succeeding.

In the final part of the seminar, participants were introduced to integrated stormwater solutions that have already been implemented or are currently being implemented in Estonia. A brief overview was provided of each solution’s objectives and the overall process—how the solutions evolved during planning and design. Finally, the seminar presented a new tool developed under the LIFE IP BuildEST project, which helps select suitable NBS for stormwater management on land plots, taking into account current land use and available space for improvements.

Seminar materials are available here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZOIeFyRuBR5lDLWkKH___OnUuyx603a/view

Listen to the seminar recording here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWchaQrD780

On 10–11 December, a two-day joint event was held within the framework of the LIFE LATESTadapt project, during which the Haapsalu and Viimsi demo sites were visited and a joint meeting of project partners took place.

Haapsalu Demo Site and Old Town Visit (10 December)
On the first day, Haapsalu city’s project manager Gerda Algre introduced the demo site established at Potissepa Street 3. During the visit, an overview was given of the challenges encountered during the construction works and the problems that the implemented solutions aim to mitigate in the area. The site is located in a coastal area where sea level plays a significant role, and during heavy rainfall rising seawater can cause damage to properties, building basements, and roads. Therefore, addressing stormwater management in this area is of particular importance.

In addition, a walking tour through Haapsalu Old Town was organised, during which the NOAH pilot site was introduced and an overview was provided of stormwater-related challenges in Haapsalu’s historic areas, including Metsa Street, the Old Town, and the main street.

Viimsi Demo Site and Joint Meeting (11 December)
On the morning of the second day, the Viimsi demo site at Mereranna Road L4 was visited, where a pocket park with sustainable stormwater management solutions has been established. As part of the project, a stormwater pond (retention pond) and underground stormwater storage tanks were constructed, enabling the use of collected water for cleaning nearby streets and watering plants. In addition, a boardwalk with a terrace for recreational use and extensive landscaping were created.

Following the visit to the demo site, a joint meeting of project partners was held at the Viimsi SPA Hotel, where partners shared information on project progress and challenges, discussed tasks and issues related to the work packages, and introduced documents prepared within the work packages.

The construction works of the Viimsi demo area were captured on video, and a timelapse video has now been completed. All interested parties can view the video on YouTube

👉 There you can learn more about: 

• Events and seminars that have already happened in Latvia and Estonia, and also planned events 

• Opportunity to give your recommendation what events or information you are most interested in upcoming seminars 

• Concluded project demo sites in Estonia 

• Development of integrated guidelines of nature-based solutions in Latvia and Estonia 

• Existing guidelines, manuals and catalogues about sustainable rainwater solutions, nature-based solutions for urban regeneration and resilience 

• A consultation forum where you can ask experts questions about nature-based solutions 

💡Read the second newsletter  here: https://mailchi.mp/4a53adadb409/life-latestadapt-2025-1-newsletter-eng-13428533

📩 Sign up to receive future newsletters in your email here! 

On 13 October 2025, the Estonian National Broadcasting radio programme “Ökoskoop” focused on the topic of flooding and its impacts on our living environment. Among the guests was Tanel Mätlik from Viimsi Municipality, who spoke about the LIFE LATESTadapt project and Viimsi’s efforts to prevent flood risks and adapt to climate change.

The programme also featured Agne Aruväli, Adviser at the Water Department of the Ministry of Climate, and Jana Põldnurk, Head of the Climate Department at the Estonian Environment Agency, who provided a broader national and European perspective on flood risk management.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Vikerraadio’s website:
👉 Ökoskoop – Floods (13 October 2025)

On October 16, two important events dedicated to landscape quality and urban adaptation to climate change will take place at Koka Rīga, Krāsotāju Street 12.

The seminar “Challenges and Solutions for Urban Heat Risk” will be held over two days. On October 16, environmental and urban planning experts will share the latest research, data and practical solutions for mitigating heatwaves in urban areas. On October 17, a guided walk will explore nature-based solutions in central Riga that address heat risk.

In the afternoon of October 16, the closing event of the national selection for the 9th session of the Council of Europe Landscape Award will take place. Eight projects from Latvian municipalities and organizations will be presented, competing for the opportunity to represent Latvia in the international competition. The winner of the national selection will be announced at the end of the event and will continue to the European level.

The events are organized by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia in cooperation with partners from the environmental and landscape sectors.

Places are limited, so registration is required: https://forms.gle/JZLkhtBRKFgZFF98A