About the Project
In 2010 the City Development Department of Riga City Council started to implement the „Integrated Strategy for Riga City to Adapt to the Hydrological Processes Intensified by Climate Change Phenomena”, a project co-funded by the LIFE+ programme.
Why is the project necessary?
A part of Riga’s territory constantly suffers from floods, which causes considerable economic and moral damages to the owners of flooded areas. Furthermore, due to the climate changes caused by global heating, the risks of floods and coastal erosion in the territory of Riga city are still growing.
Therefore, in-depth studies are necessary for the Riga city to be prepared for climate changes and to reduce their negative impact on the city territory.
The key goal of the project is to timely identify the hydrologic factors that could adversely affect Riga residents, economy, as well as protection of nature and cultural heritage in the future in connection with the climate changes, and either to prevent or to reduce these effects.
What will be the benefit for Riga?
The most significant project activities are as follows:
Development of a digital 3D model for the whole territory of Riga. An up-to-date 3D model is necessary to study and to simulate hydrologic processes (including floods) in Riga city.
Studying and forecasting hydrologic processes and their impact on Riga territory in connection with climate changes. Detailed studies of hydrologic processes and evaluating their impacts will be carried out, including the identification of the existing flood risks, their simulation in the future, identifying and forecasting of coastal erosion risks, as well as evaluation of the areas subject to floods and coastal erosion.
Development of flood risk management plan for Riga city. The up-dated activity plan will include specific flood risk prevention measures and will consider different options to attract funding for risk prevention measures. The experience of several European cities in flood-fighting and managing flooded territories will be also taken into consideration.
Development of methodological guidelines for territorial planning in floodable areas. The methodological guidelines will cover issues of territorial planning in floodable areas. In addition, seminars, work panels and training will be organised for territory planners from municipalities with flooding risks similar to those of Riga city.
Public information events. The public will be informed about the project activities, there will be informing events, and the public opinion will be also listened to.
In addition to the above activities, project management and supervision will be performed to ensure successful and timely implementation of the project. The project management is ensured by the project staff, including project manager, assistant, environment expert, territory planning expert, public relations expert and accountant, As for the project supervision, it is performed by the Project management commission including officials of Riga City Council, the City Development Department, the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Affairs, as well as NGOs.
Why is the project unique for the Baltics?
The project is unique for both Latvia and the Baltic States, as no similar project has been implemented in the region so far. It is expected that its results will serve as an example for many local governments in Latvia and municipalities of the neighbouring countries, whose territories are subject to flood risks.
Who funds the project?
The project was started in February 2010 and will be finished on November 30, 2012. Its total costs amount to EUR 662, 240, shared equally between the EU LIFE+ programme and Riga municipality.
