Environmental and Landscaping Specialists of Zemgale Acquire Skills in Modern and Sustainable Public Garden Planning

In preparation for the active garden and park management season, municipal environmental and landscaping specialists gained practical knowledge for the development of public outdoor spaces during training sessions organized by the Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR). The online training series of the international “Interactive Gardens” project focused on modern garden planning, plant selection, and sustainable stormwater management. Taking place right now – during the blossoming of nature and the start of seasonal work – these sessions will help local municipalities create multifunctional green areas that benefit the community.

The understanding of public outdoor spaces is evolving. As landscape architect Dace Laiva and horticulture enthusiast Ludmila Knoka pointed out during the training, a city garden is no longer just an aesthetic object, but a multifunctional space fulfilling social, ecological, and educational functions. Classic lawns are increasingly being replaced by nature-based solutions and natural plantings, such as urban meadows and nectar-rich plants. This approach promotes biodiversity and creates habitats for pollinators and birds.

Great attention was also paid to the creation of therapeutic, community, and educational gardens, emphasizing the healing effect of nature on residents’ senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste). As L. Knoka emphasized: “A garden is not a construction project that is commissioned and forgotten; it is an investment that must be protected every day.”

Turning Climate Challenges into Urban Assets

Due to the impacts of climate change, cities are increasingly facing heavy rainfall, which creates flood risks. Daina Ieviņa, a representative of SIA “Reindave”, introduced participants to sustainable stormwater management solutions that help turn this problem into an asset. By using elements such as bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs, rainwater is not immediately discharged into the sewage system, but instead is retained, purified, and used on-site.

The training analyzed practical examples from Jelgava, Ogre, Tukums, and other locations in Latvia, proving that such solutions not only mitigate the impact of floods but also visually and functionally enrich the urban environment.

Applying Knowledge Across Local Municipalities

The training sessions, held online in March and April of this year, brought together a wide range of professionals from all municipalities of the Zemgale Planning Region – project managers, environmental engineers, landscape architects, gardeners, as well as infrastructure and municipal department specialists.

Participants highly appreciated the program’s diverse information and practical, real-life examples. Feedback indicates that the lectures encouraged them to “look for places in our parish where the acquired knowledge can be applied” and inspired them to gradually introduce tools such as green infrastructure planning guidelines and volunteer programs into their work practices.

Furthermore, specialists emphasize that many different aspects must be taken into account when planning gardens and public outdoor spaces, carefully considering and adapting solutions to a specific location, while also taking a more active role in educating the residents themselves. The insights gained will also be directly useful to the specialists in the ongoing creation of interactive garden elements at various sites throughout Zemgale as part of the project.

Programme Manual Online

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