Stakeholder meeting in Riga explored the public space design of the Pilot Site

After the midsummer, a stakeholder meeting was organized to discuss the concept of the Mūkusalas development (public space design). The professionals discussed the ideas and purpose of ​​the concept, providing information about project timetable and innovative student engagement methods.

More than 30 Riga City Council City Development Department specialists were invited to the event - strategic planning, urban and traffic planning, investment attraction, geospatial information, project planning and management specialists and local people who were introduced with the project design and planned development concept and its objectives.

For smoother discussions and collaboration, a professional facilitator (theatre actor) moderated the event in an informal manner -  encouraging the stakeholders to explore the Pilot Site territory in a more creative way, brainstorming the ideas about developing the concept further and how Mūkusala territory would look in the context of Riga. One of the proposed solutions for the current lack of common vision was to create coordinated spatial development management group in order to bring clearness into the process whereas further emphasis was put on developing mixed land use in the Pilot Site area.

 

A new kind of student competition to find new and inspiring architectural proposals

For the first time in Riga, a student competition for the architectural proposals will be organized, giving the students a chance to design and brand the Mūkusala territory. Three student teams will be designing and planning, with a stakeholder jury giving their opinions. For the first place, a student group will get 3000 EUR, second 2000 EUR and third place 1000 EUR money prize.

Using new innovative student engagement methods, the Riga City Council will get a high-quality development of pilot area and also, test results of the new methods, which will then allow to evaluate this type of cooperation's further use. It will also lead new specialists to a "hands-on" practical experience – for example in the form of internships, and to involve local inhabitants and entrepreneurs in the planning processes. The students will gain real practice in their field of study, while the companies will get new experiences and new perspectives from the students. That will make a great platform for further business hubs.

 

Tags: 
Riga
stakeholder involvement
public space design
students
competition