The economic effectiveness and return on flood prevention measures in Riga will be evaluated

Within the framework of the project “Riga Against Flood” the Project team has started work on cost-benefit analysis of flood prevention measures. Recommendations for these measures had been made based on the research of flood threat that the capital city faces. Cost-benefit analysis is crucial for the evaluation of flood prevention measures, calculation of construction expenses, comparison of the alternatives and determining economic effectiveness and return, as well as for determining which measures are a priority and therefore should be implemented first. The results of cost-benefit analysis will be included in flood risk management plan for Riga City.

With flood prevention measures we understand various solutions for protecting the territory of Riga City, the most widespread of them being: elevation of asphalted street sections, elevation dirt road sections, elevation of existing earth dams, construction of new earth dams, construction or reconstruction of sluice and regulator gates and culvert regulators. For a great part of the city territory two flood prevention alternatives have been provided, with each of them having different impact and costs.

“In the development of flood risk management plan we will definitely involve the community. In February, next year, several public discussions will be organized in Riga where we would like to hear the opinion of the inhabitants and discuss flood prevention measures, the necessity of their implementation, alternatives, impact and other related issues,” emphasizes the acting director of City Development Department Uldis Jansons.

In addition to economic analysis, evaluation and comparisons, also possible sources of funding will be identified within the framework of cost-benefit analysis, which will study the ways to attract funding for the implementation of flood prevention measures. Various sources to attract funding will be analysed – EU funds, state programmes, other external financial sources and instruments.

Flood risk management plan will single out 8-9 flood risk zones and each of them, as well as the territory of the whole city, will be assigned the most suitable flood prevention measures in the order of priority, taking into account the impact (gain/ loss) that the implementation of a certain measure can have on the community, economic activity (business enterprises), nature (including specially protected natural territories) and culture-historical values.

In accordance with the agreement, effective as of October 25 this year, cost-benefit analysis will be carried out by SIA „Baltkonsults”, which was chosen in an open tender. The agreement envisages that the work will be completed in 14 weeks and its cost is Ls 9 500 (without VAT).

About the project:
The project RIGA AGAINST FLOOD” (in full "Integrated Strategy for Riga City to Adapt to the Hydrological Processes Intensified by Climate Change Phenomena") was launched by Riga City Council City Development Department in February 2010 and it will end on November 30, 2012. The main aim of the project is to explore hydrological processes – flood, intensive precipitation, wind surges, coastal erosion, significant changes in ground-water levels, which, combined with climate change, could have negative impact on the inhabitants of Riga, economy and preservation of natural and cultural heritage. The project also aims at providing solutions on how to forestall and reduce this impact. Within the framework of the project a model of Riga City relief has been worked out; and a substantial research on hydrological processes, as well as work on recommendations for future flood risk forestalment and reduction, is in progress. The total cost of the project is 662 240 EUR. The costs are equally shared by European Union finance programme for the environment LIFE+ and Riga municipality.

More information about the project – http://www.rigapretpludiem.lv/eng/

LIFE programme is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects. The main aim of LIFE+ programme is to contribute to passing, amending and enforcing of European Union environmental policy and legislation. LIFE programme was launched in 1992. Since then, LIFE has co-financed about 3104 projects throughout European Union, contributing about 2.2 billion Euros to the protection of the environment. The present stage of the programme – LIFE + - was launched in 2007 and will be implemented until 2013.

Riga City Council City Development Department
PR specialist Marija Ābeltiņa
67012916, 29231856, marija.abeltina@riga.lv, www.rdpad.lv