Scholarly record
CREATIVE WORKSHOP ON PLANNING A SUSTAINABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENT ON A HUMAN SCALE
Abstract
The Creative Urban Workshop provided by architects and artists from RTU at Vienna SGEM international conference at December 2025 regarding Islandes Square, Kipsala, Riga, invites international experts and activists to give collaboratively envision a vibrant, multifunctional, and ecologically responsible public space. Positioned as the future -gate- to the RTU campus, Islandes Square offers a unique opportunity to integrate human-scaled urbanism with sustainable design. The workshop includes an introductory talk, on-site analysis, idea generation through sketching, and visual development using freehand drawings, collages, and models. Group presentations and expert feedback will foster interdisciplinary dialogue. The following methods were used in the study: document and literature research, observations, graphic interpretation methods, digital analysis, and comparison methods. The study analyzes examples of creative masterclasses in urban planning from BAUA 2025, MADCITY working group projects, which also served as inspiration for the participants of the Vienna conference. Emphasizing circular economy principles, biodiversity, and pollution control, the project promotes ecological integration and environmental protection. As a living laboratory, the RTU campus will highlight innovation in biotechnology, eco-technologies, and green materials, supported by AI-based environmental monitoring. The workshop also highlights multispecies coexistence as a key element in shaping inclusive and resilient urban ecosystems.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References11
Lombard�a, A., G�mez-Villarino, M.T. Green infrastructure in cities for the achievement of the un sustainable development goals: a systematic review. Urban Ecosyst 26, 1693�1707 (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11252-023-01401-4
Kashnitsky, Y., Roberge, G. all., Evaluating approaches to identifying research supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Quantitative Science Studies 2024; 5 (2): 408�425. DOI: 10.1162/qss_a_00304
Bali Swain, R., & Dobers, P. (Eds.). (2025). Routledge Handbook of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Research and Policy (1st ed.). Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003285472-1
Balvociene, V., Zaleckis, K. Cultural Urban Catalysts as Meaning of the City. Architecture and Urban Planning, 2021, Vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 16�28. DOI: 10.2478/aup-2021-0002
Bratu�kins, U., Treija, S. Riga Technical University Epoch and School: Beginnings of Architectural Education at the Riga Polytechnic. Architecture and Urban Planning, 2019, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 75--80. DOI: 10.2478/aup-2019-0010
Varun Athokpam, Themmeichon Chamroy and Haripriya Ngairangbam (2024). The Role of Urban Green Spaces in Mitigating Climate Change: An Integrative Review of Ecological, Social, and Health Beneits. Environmental Reports; an International Journal. 10 to 14. DOI: 10.51470/ER.2024.6.1.10
Bratu�kins, U., Treija, S., Babris, M. Non-formal Education in Architecture: Latvian Experience. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, vol. 24, issue 1. Vilnius: VGTU Press, 2018, pp. 46�51. ISSN: 2029-7955, DOI: 10.3846/jau.2018.1843
Romanovska-Grinberga, K., Ulme, A. The Research of Environmental Accessibility in Riga Churches. Scientific Journal of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies Landscape Architecture and Art, Volume 15, Number 15, 2019, pp. 112�119. DOI: 10.22616/j.landarchart.2019.15.13
Amano, Tatsuya, et al. �The Importance of Green Spaces to Public Health: A Multi-Continental Analysis.� Ecological Applications, vol. 28, no. 6, 2018, pp. 1473�80. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26623246.Accessed 20 Nov. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/eap.1748
Merylova, I., Smilka, V., Kovalska, G. Public Spaces in Historic Environment as Urban Fundamentals of Sustainable Development. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci., 2023, vol. 1275, 012026. DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1275/1/012026
Gehl, J. Life between buildings. Using Public Space. Washington: Island Press, 2011. 211 p.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.