Category: LIFE

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Project Updates in Cēsis, Valmiera, and Rīga

Project Updates in Cēsis, Valmiera, and Rīga

Increasingly destructive rainstorms and heatwaves – the rise in extreme weather events due to climate change is a reality that we are already facing. Moreover, scientific forecasts indicate that these problems will become more frequent in the future. For this reason, it is crucial for city municipalities to work on climate adaptation now. A highly effective tool for increasing urban climate resilience and improving residents’ well-being is thoughtful green infrastructure planning, as well as implementing nature-based solutions. Since 2022, the LIFE LATESTadapt project has been implemented in three Latvian cities – Rīga, Cēsis, and Valmiera – with the goal of enhancing urban resilience to extreme weather through green infrastructure solutions. Within the project, various actions are being taken in these cities to improve climate resilience, including the development of nature-based solutions and the creation of planning documents such as Greening Plans to promote sustainable management of urban green areas. Read more about the main project updates in each of the involved Latvian municipalities in this article.

Project Updates in Cēsis

Since the start of the project in Cēsis, extensive preparatory work has been underway for the development of the Greening Plan, including the collection and processing of available data to assess the current situation and identify problem areas, utilizing both expert knowledge and involving the community.

In 2023, two resident surveys were conducted as part of the project: one focused on the most important green areas in Cēsis and their functions, and the other on environmental problem areas in Cēsis. Based on the information gathered from the surveys and other data layers, the Baltic Environmental Forum-Latvia in cooperation with Riga Technical University prepared an interactive map explorer that will be updated later in during the project, as well as used for public involvement and other activities.

Currently, in the summer of 2024, data refinement is ongoing. Work on the Greening Plan for Cēsis will commence in the fall, involving the public and all interested parties in the co-creation process.

Additionally, work continues on the development of the project’s demonstration site in Cēsis, where nature-based solutions for flood resilience will be implemented. The Cēsis demonstration site will be located in Vintergrava, covering approximately 10 hectares with a 258-hectare rainwater drainage basin. The creation of nature-based solutions will reduce rapid rainwater and sediment runoff into the Gauja River, ensuring rainwater infiltration and self-purification.

Project Updates in Valmiera

In Valmiera, active preparations have also been underway for the development of the Greening Plan, including resident surveys, data collection, processing, and situation analysis together with project partners. The municipality plans to start developing Valmiera’s Greening Plan in 2024. Currently, the main objectives of the plan is being defined, with colleagues actively discussing to ensure a comprehensive and effective plan.

To better define the objectives of the Greening Plan and the expected results, a meeting with project partners was held in early June in Valmiera. During the meeting, experts presented the findings of current project research, which allowed for a better understanding of the directions that the Greening Plan would need to focus on. The meeting concluded with discussions in working groups. One group’s task was to seek answers to questions about the conceptual aspects of Valmiera’s Greening Plan, while another group addressed practical aspects – using problem area mapping to identify priority areas requiring the implementation of nature-based solutions and the most suitable solutions.

In spring, Valmiera also hosted an international urban planning and innovation hackathon “LifeHack Valmiera,” organized by Riga Technical University in cooperation with Valmiera Municipality. Six problem areas in Valmiera were defined during the hackathon, with each team selecting one of these areas to develop new ideas and technologies for addressing climate change challenges. The event was won by a team from Estonia, offering a solution for the renovation and improvement of the Valmiera Olympic Center’s parking lot and surrounding area to reduce the heat island effect.

Planning work also continues in Valmiera for the project’s demonstration site, where nature-based solutions will be implemented.

Project Updates in Rīga

Meanwhile, in Rīga the City Council in mid-May has officially approved the start of the development of Rīga’s Urban Greening Plan for 2027-2031. The plan will be a policy planning document with an action plan, including various activities to mitigate the impact of climate change such as heat islands, rain floods, and biodiversity loss. One of the Plan’s tasks is to develop a framework to promote a joint network of green infrastructure in the urban environment and ensure its accessibility. Currently, extensive and challenging work continues with project partners on the analysis of the current situation of Rīga’s green areas and the identification of problem areas. Similar to Cēsis and Valmiera, two resident surveys have been conducted in cooperation with the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF), addressing important green areas for residents and environmental problem areas. A map explorer has been developed under the leadership of Riga Technical University and BEF to visualize the project results and further involve the public.

During the plan’s development, active work with the community is also planned – an expert meeting on nature-based solutions in the city was held in April, and a wider audience was introduced to the Plan during the seminar “Rīga is becoming greener! City ‘green’ solutions and challenges” in June. In addition, the first working group meeting will be held in August. Also, in the fall, Rīga will host Latvia’s first Climate Assembly on the topic of “Rīga’s urban greening for improving residents’ quality of life,” where relevant issues related to the Greening Plan will be discussed. More information and opportunities for participation will soon be published on the City Development Department’s website rdpad.lv and Rīga City’s social networks.

In Rīga, the demonstration site for nature-based solutions will be located on Tērbatas Street and adjacent areas, where innovative solutions for sustainable stormwater management and reduction of the heat island effect will be implemented. The development of procurement documentation for the design and construction plans of Tērbatas Street’s green infrastructure is scheduled to be completed in May-June 2024. The procurement will identify the most effective and economically justified solutions for implementing activities, develop work scope tables, technical specifications, and indicative construction costs for green walls, green roofs, parklets, rain gardens, and bio-swale solutions. These nature-based solutions will be used to such extent for the first time in Rīga, offering a broader range of additional benefits. These solutions will not only reduce the heat island effect and flood risk but also create quality public outdoor spaces, which in turn are essential for residents’ physical and mental health by reducing stress levels and providing space for outdoor activities.

Read more about the project: https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/about-project/

 

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„Guide on using the native plant communities at NBSs for urban flood resilience“ published

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/

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Stormwater projects by Viimsi citizens awarded at European level

At the end of the month of May, as part of the Water Aware Europe movement, a European Green Week focused on water as a resource. The week was rounded off with an international LIFE project recognition gala, where Viimsi’s LIFE UrbanStorm project received a prestigious award from the European Commission.

Viimsi Municipality was represented at the European Green Week events by Deputy Mayor Alar Mik, at the invitation of the European Commission. The focus of the Green Week was on the use of water resources – the sustainable use of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water management policies were discussed.

“In Europe, the issue of water resources is more topical and serious than here in Viimsi – no one thinks of watering the lawn with drinking water in the dry season, water use is restricted on certain days and this is unfortunately becoming more and more common. There was also talk of cleaning up water bodies and conserving any water resources, and that water is our common asset that needs to be protected,” said Alar Mik.

Green Week ended with a gala to recognise LIFE projects. In total, nine different projects from all over Europe were invited to the Gala. The winning projects will be selected by a jury and this type of recognition has been taking place since 2006. The finalists were divided between three programmes: Climate, Nature and Circular Economy and Quality of Life. Viimsi municipality’s LIFE UrbanStorm project was nominated in the climate category. In addition to Viimsi, projects from the Czech Republic and France were nominated for the top prize in the climate field. However, the Czech Republic won the LIFE Award for Climate Action this year. Estonian and French projects were recognised for reaching the finals with the LIFE Programme’s “LIFE Award”, an award made of recycled glass and wood.

Within the LIFE UrbanStorm project, a development plan for climate change adaptation in Viimsi municipality was prepared and several important stormwater saving solutions were built, including a natural stormwater system at Karulaugu tee 16 in Haabneeme and in Viimsi Manor Park.

Alar Mik pointed out that reaching the finals is a great honour and recognition for the work done in Viimsi in the field of rainwater conservation. “The LIFE programme funds well over 100 projects a year, and to make it among the three climate project finalists is an achievement we can be proud of.” According to Miku, the recognition received from the European Commission will certainly give us the motivation to continue and write even more interesting projects. “I am grateful to our partners, the main team of Viimsi municipality, Taavi Valgmäe, Siim Reinla and Tanel Mätlik. Special thanks go to the LIFE programme, which gave Viimsi municipality the opportunity to lead this project,” said the Deputy Mayor.

Viimsi municipality is already taking the next steps in adapting to climate change. For example, by 2025, the second LIFE project LATESTadapt will include the construction of a smart rainwater harvesting reservoir with a sustainable rainwater harvesting solution at the intersection of Mereranna tee and Randvere tee in Haabneeme, in the green area of the Mereranna tee L4 property.

The LIFE programme is the European Union’s financial instrument for the environment and climate action. The programme has been in operation since 1992 and has co-financed more than 6,000 projects across the European Union and in other countries. The European Commission has increased LIFE funding by almost 60 percent between 2021 and 2027, to €5.4 billion. LIFE has four sub-programmes: nature and biodiversity, circular economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean energy transition.

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Team from Estonia wins the urban planning and innovation hackathon “LifeHack Valmiera”

Category: LIFE

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On Friday, 17 May, in the framework of LIFE LATESTadapt project, Valmiera hosted the urban planning and innovation hackathon “LifeHack Valmiera”, where the main prize – EUR 2500 – was awarded to the team “Potato Olympics” from Estonia with their solution for improving the Valmiera Olympic Centre parking lot and the surrounding area to reduce the heat island effect.

The jury appreciated that the team proposed different solutions that could be implemented individually, thus gradually improving the situation in the defined area. The team’s presentation included many different solutions – green roofs and walls, trees in the car park, rainwater collection and storage, pedestrian walkways with green roofs in the car park and other innovative ideas.

More than 80 participants from 6 countries – students, technology experts and professionals from fields such as environmental science, urban planning, architecture and engineering – took part in the hackathon. The teams had access to 30 experts to support them in their challenges. These included Valmiera Municipality Government employees who could provide support as local experts, as well as experts in their field from both the private sector and the research sector.

The top three finishers of the hackaton:
·       1st place team “Potato Olympics” (Estonia). The team presented ideas of nature-based solutions for attractive public space and urban heat island effect mitigation in the Valmiera Olympic Centre.
·       2nd place: team “Team Water” (Estonia). The team presented nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, education and recreation along Gauja river left bank promenade.
·       3rd place: team “RāVal team” (Latvia). The team presented innovative sensor technologies and nature-based solutions to address water quality issues in the Rātes river area, as well as educational elements and recreational opportunities.

 

The participants chose one of the six provided challenges to improve the environment and ecological sustainability of Valmiera. The challenges included innovative approaches to reduce flooding risks, tackle the urban heat island problems and improve water quality. The challenge areas were – the Gaides river, the Rātes river, the area near the Matīšu highway and the store DEPO, the Valmiera Olympic Centre parking lot, the left bank of the Gauja river and the Valmiera Industrial Park area. More information on the defined challenges in English can be found here.

 

“The challenges addressed by the participants are relevant for the city of Valmiera and their relevance will only increase in the future. The municipality needs to involve experts in the field to address them. We appreciate the opportunity to work with such knowledgeable participants who contributed to finding and justifying solutions to environmental challenges by presenting interesting and innovative ideas,” 

says Jānis Baiks, Chairman of the Valmiera Municipality Government.

 

The jury included representatives of Valmiera Municipality Government, researchers from Riga Technical University, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and a researcher from Tallinn University of Technology.

 

By uniting technology and nature, this event aimed to produce viable, innovative solutions for the city of Valmiera to serve as an educational platform. Participants were given a unique opportunity to learn from experts, apply cutting-edge technologies in real-world scenarios, and develop teamwork and creative problem-solving skills. This immersive experience was designed to inspire a new generation of thinkers ready to contribute to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, making LifeHack Valmiera an essential event for those committed to making a tangible impact in climate adaptation.

⊆ More information on the hackaton:

 https://lifehackvalmiera.hacktribe.co/  

 Gratitude is expressed to all the participants for the time and knowledge they have invested in preparing and presenting high quality ideas to solve the problems!
 

The Hackathon was organised by Riga Technical University in cooperation with Valmiera Municipality Government and Valmiera Vocational School, within the framework of and with the support of the European Union LIFE Programme project “LIFE LATESTadapt” (“Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia”). The event has received funding from the European Union LIFE Programme, the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund of the State Regional Development Agency and the Estonian Ministry of Climate. The information contained herein is the sole responsibility of the LIFE LATESTadapt project promoters and the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment.

Information was prepared by: E. Ločmele (Valmiera Municipality, Branding and Public Relations Departments, Environmental Communication Project Manager) and edited by: A. Danenberga (Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Spatial Planning and Policy Division, Project coordinator and communication). 

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Informative event for Viimsi local stakeholders

On 13 April, a community event was held in Viimsi municipality to introduce the local residents to the smart rainwater harvesting solution to be implemented as part of the LIFE LATESTadapt project. The project is planned to be implemented in Haabneeme and the community event was an opportunity to present the innovative solution to the local residents. The event took place in the framework of the Viimsi Vision Day, which attracted a large number of residents from different areas of Viimsi municipality, who were given the opportunity to learn about the LIFE LATESTadapt project and the novel and innovative solutions related to the project. During the community event, various educational materials were distributed to the visitors and different environmentally sustainable solutions were discussed.

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Call for Participants to City Planning & Innovation Hackathon LifeHack Valmiera!

The City Planning & Innovation Hackathon, LifeHack Valmiera, will take place from May 13th to May 17th, 2024. It focuses on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for climate adaptation enhanced by innovative sensor technologies. This hybrid event includes four dynamic days of online collaboration and an onsite finale in Valmiera. Teams presenting the most innovative, effective, and impactful solutions will compete for a total prize fund of 5000 EUR.

LifeHack Valmiera invites diverse thinkers and doers, including students, technology experts, and professionals from environmental science, urban planning, engineering, information technology, and architecture. We seek teams and individuals ready to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings to make significant environmental improvements in Valmiera.

Participants are invited to take on one of six challenges designed to enhance urban resilience and ecological sustainability in Valmiera, focusing on innovative approaches to address flood resilience, urban heat islands, and water quality improvements, among other issues. 

At the LifeHack Valmiera Hackathon, participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts from Valmiera City, Riga Technical University, Jelgava University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu University, Estonian University of Life Sciences and other industry professionals. These experts will provide ongoing support and guidance, ensuring all participants have the necessary data and insights to develop effective solutions. 

Before the LifeHack Valmiera Hackathon, there will be an online info and team formation session on May 8th.  Registration deadline is May 12th, 2024.

More info and registration on the LifeHack Valmiera hackathon website: https://lifehackvalmiera.hacktribe.co

We look forward to seeing you at LifeHack Valmiera – where your innovative solutions can make a real difference!

The hackathon is held within and sponsored by the LIFE programme 2021-2027 project LIFE LatEstAdapt “Developing and demonstrating a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions for improving urban climate resilience in Latvia and Estonia”, which is co-funded by the European Union, State Regional Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Climate of the Republic of Estonia. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, CINEA or financiers, respectively. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

 

Contact info:

Jurijs Kondratenko, Riga Technical University, Jurijs.Kondratenko@rtu.lv 

Karlis Skuja, Riga Technical University, karlis.skuja_1@rtu.lv

 
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Riga Technical University has produced a document describing novel monitoring technologies and approaches, and highlighting prevailing knowledge gaps and further research needs.

The project partner (Riga Technical University) has produced a document mapping novel monitoring technologies and approaches, highlighting prevailing knowledge gaps and further research needs. The document has been prepared in the framework of the project activity 2.4 “Identification and testing of novel measurement methods for monitoring the effectiveness of natural solutions”, which aims to collect existing best practices for monitoring the effectiveness of natural solutions and propose novel solutions to improve current standardised monitoring protocols and existing best practices.

LIFE LATESTadapt project wise nature-based solutions (NBS) will be developed and tested at 8 demonstration sites that will protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems in local governments of Estonia (Viimsi, Haapsalu, Rakvere, Võru, Narva) and Latvia (Riga, Valmiera, Cesis).

Interested in what the document says? Visit: https://lifelatestadapt.viimsivald.ee/materials/

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First 1,5 year of Project – Setting the course

We extend our heartfelt New Year wishes to our LIFE LATESTadapt Project team members, co-operation partners, and local communities! The beginning of year also provides an opportunity to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together so far.

The Project has been implemented since September 2022, and its first 1,5 years has been a journey of making preparatory steps for showcasing the power of nature-based and smart solutions to enhance urban climate resilience in Estonia and Latvia. Each Project Partner has played valuable role in conducting the preparatory and analytical tasks, summarised below.

In the field of Project management and communication, Project Partner teams were composed, Project visual identity elements were developed, website and Facebook page were created, joint Steering Group and Stakeholder Advisory Board held its first meeting, etc.

With regard to new nature-based solutions (NBS), Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and Riga Technical University (RTU ) composed, in co-operation with the partner municipalities, the technical descriptions for 8 demo sites – Viimsi, Haapsalu, Narva, Võru, Rakvere, Riga, Valmiera and Cesis. In parallel, Nordic Botanical conducted the literature review of the plant species suitable for native rain gardens, selected the species and tested the functioning of selected communities, designed and tested planting/seeding techniques. RTU gathered existing novel monitoring technologies and approaches about the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (and pointed out the knowledge gaps and research needs. Also, RTU prepared methodology and indicators for monitoring of the Project actions, as well as a monitoring plan describing the activities to be performed and their regularity.

In the topic of urban climate resilient planning, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia (BEF Latvia) is leading the work for mapping of the green infrastructure in Riga, Cesis and Valmiera, by developing the methodology framework for mapping and planning, compiling a joint data hub, basemap and ecosystem service maps. Also, the key thematic Project event of 2023 co-organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia (MoEPRD) and BEF Latvia – International Workshop on planning and operationalising urban green infrastructure and ecosystem service concepts – was held on 13-14.06.23 in Riga. 

For raising awareness on adaptation to climate change effects, Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia (BEF Estonia) in cooperation with the partner municipalities mapped the local stakeholders and composed the action plan for their involvement. Thereafter, 6 stakeholder workshops were organised by local governments – in Haapsalu, Valmiera, Cesis, Riga, Võru, Narva – in which the proposed demo sites were presented to local inhabitants and organisations, and feedback was received from participants. 

Based on this groundwork, in 2024 a large number of next tasks and events will be launched, among others, the preparation of construction project design for demo sites, training sessions on cost-efficiency, planning and management of NBS, including the development of Urban Greening Plans, student hackathons to generate new innovative ideas for NBS, and many more.

We look forward to continuing our collaborative journey in 2024, building on the successes of the past and exploring new avenues of innovation and sustainability!

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Informative event for Narva town local stakeholders

A community meeting was held in Narva with the residents of Kudruküla region on December 5 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to inform people living in close proximity to the LIFE LatEst adapt pilot site about the project, and to invite local people to think along and discuss about the local environmental problems.

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Season’s greetings from LIFE LATESTadapt project team!

We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!