Residents of Central Riga requested participation in locating significant trouble spots within the city area
In the heart of Riga, Latvia, an innovative project is underway to improve the quality of life for its residents. The Riga Planning Region and Riga City Council are collaborating on this initiative, which aims to focus on the densely built-up central districts of the city.
The project, dubbed the Urban Environment Analysis, is being implemented to understand which areas in the city centre are most exposed to heat and overheating during the summer. This valuable data will be collected using ten sensors, distributed among specialists in various fields, park gardeners, and street cleaners in the Old Town. Additionally, ten sensors will be given to Riga City Council employees who choose to participate voluntarily.
Participation is open to residents of central Riga and surrounding areas who are active on foot during the summer months. The selection criteria for participants include location, frequency of movement, distances, and most frequent walking routes.
The primary goal of this project is to cover the areas of greatest potential risk, with the ultimate aim of learning more about hot spots in cities. This knowledge will allow for the consideration of how to better cool the city through various measures.
Sabīne Skudra, project expert for the Riga Planning Region, recently explained the project's focus and benefits on Latvian Radio's programme 'Pēcpusdiena'. She emphasised that the data collected by residents will allow for a more qualitative assessment of the situation at street level, providing invaluable insights into the urban environment.
All data obtained will be compiled in an anonymised form, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all participants. The data collected from this project will be accessible on a data platform, making it easily accessible for further research and analysis.
Residents interested in participating can apply by filling out a questionnaire before 11 June. By working together, the Riga Planning Region, Riga City Council, and the community can make a significant impact on the city's urban environment and the well-being of its residents.
