Problem

Riga has set a target to climate-neutral city by 2030. To achieve this, the city is embarking on the challenge of renovating existing building stock sustainably, including 6,000 residential buildings that require urgent renovation and 1,000 derelict buildings. 

However, as Latvia is a country with limited natural assets, the city relies heavily on imported raw materials and limited capacity to date around materials circularity. There is limited access to capacity and knowledge amongst SMEs and workers to participate in the circular economy, in addition to a lack of regulatory and market incentives for using sustainable materials and limited access to recycling infrastructures.

Responses

Riga launched an Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in 2018 for the transition to a circular economy in the construction sector. The vision of IAP is to apply circular solutions through developing training programmes and knowledge exchange centres. Courses and learning programmes for citizens and construction professionals were launched, along with guidelines for local businesses to embed circular economy principles in their construction practices. The centre was adapted for the needs of Riga’s citizens - for example, as 92.1% of its population live in apartments, many citizens do not have access to the workspace they needed for upcycling, so the centre included workbenches that can be used by everyone.

The IAP is part of a wider programme by the EU network URGE, a circular city planning network, working with nine cities to develop their circular economy in the construction sector.

Find out more: World Economic Forum