Assessment of the social and economic values of climate impact, adaptation to climate changes and adaptation opportunities in neighbourhoods in Riga and Latvia (sustainable development of neighbourhoods in Riga)

The chosen area of research is residential housing blocks, and taking into consideration their variety and the structure of property rights, they are very vulnerable to negative climate changes. The greatest number of inhabitants will feel negative changes in these blocks. For example in the asphalt paved or cobbled yards of housing estates with insufficient greenery the so called “heat islands” where due to the impact of sun the temperature is several degrees higher than the rest of the environment. In this case dust and exhaust gases have a more significant impact on human health, thus also on the quality of life.

"Approximately 85% of the population of Riga live in residential housing, therefore the investigation of challenges in these parts of the city, research and definition of complex developing solutions is one of the priorities of Riga City architecture offices. We hope that within the framework of the projects, in cooperation with Riga Stradiņš University researchers, we will be able to find understandable evidence and effective concepts, and thus be able to revitalise apartment blocks and historical residential housing blocks and their infrastructure, thus gradually increasing the quality of life of the inhabitants of Riga,” says Riga City architect Gvido Princis.

It should be noted that until now research on climate change impact on residential housing blocks in Riga has been very fragmented, focusing only on particular sustainability issues, but not analysing the general picture and the particular situation from an interdisciplinary perspective.

In some study units there will be a particular focus on several climate change and adjustment factors, which, based on different theories and scientific methods, shall be analysed and their socio-economic value  determined. Also, in order to assess climate impact on inhabitants, a large scale survey will be carried out, the existing state of the environment researched, discussions with field experts will be initiated and data analysis made.

Project activity

• A scientifically-based study has been carried out on the assessment of socio-economic values, climate impact, adaptation to climate changes and adaptation opportunities in residential housing blocks in Riga and Latvia