Residents of Central Riga requested assistance in pinpointing localized areas of unrest
Riga, the capital city of Latvia, is taking steps to combat the urban heat island effect and improve the quality of life for its residents. The Riga Planning Region and Riga City Council have announced a new project aimed at reducing localized temperature increases caused by dense urban infrastructure, enhancing green infrastructure, and improving urban climate resilience.
The project, which focuses on the central districts of Riga, invites residents who are active on foot daily to apply for the urban environment analysis experiment. Participants can apply by filling out the questionnaire, and the application deadline is set for 11 June.
The goal of the project is to learn more about hot spots in cities and consider how to better cool the city through various measures. The project is particularly inviting parents and dog owners who walk every day, as their data will provide valuable insights into street-level heat conditions.
Ten sensors will be given to specialists, park gardeners, and street cleaners in the Old Town to collect data on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. The data collected during the project will be available on the project's data platform, allowing for a more qualitative assessment of the heat situation at street level.
The selection criteria for the experiment include location, frequency of movement, distances, and most frequent walking routes. The results from the project will help determine which areas in the city center are most exposed to heat and overheating during the summer. The goal is to cover the areas of greatest potential risk.
Sabīne Skudra, project expert for the Riga Planning Region, explained the project's focus and goals on Latvian Radio's programme 'Pēcpusdiena'. The project will use digital twins or urban simulation models that combine meteorological data, environmental sensors, and infrastructure information to analyze heat distribution and identify hotspots.
The project also aims to integrate green corridors, green roofs, tree coverage expansion, and water management strategies to increase shading and evapotranspiration. Public involvement through 3D visualization and consultations will improve urban planning decisions. Deployment of sensor networks in smart lampposts or other digital infrastructure for real-time environmental monitoring is also planned.
The expected outcomes of the project include reduced urban temperatures in heat hotspots, improved comfort and reduced health risks. The project also aims to result in more informed and effective urban planning and climate adaptation strategies, increased green space coverage and enhanced biodiversity, improved air quality and energy savings in buildings due to better microclimate management, and enhanced public awareness and engagement in climate resilience efforts.
This project is part of a broader European trend towards urban heat island mitigation using digital twins and smart urban planning, as seen in cities such as Milan, Rotterdam, and Rennes.
For more detailed project reports on Riga’s UHI initiatives, you may explore Latvian municipal sources or cleantech platforms.
