From 13 to 17 May 2024, the “LifeHack Valmiera” urban-planning and innovation hackathon will take place. During the hackathon, participants are invited to develop innovative nature-based solutions for the city of Valmiera to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as to monitor and forecast change, using innovative sensor technologies. The first four days of the hackathon will take place online, while the final day is planned as an in-person event in Valmiera. Teams that develop the most innovative, effective and impactful solutions will compete for a total prize fund of 5000 euros.
Students, technology experts and professionals from the fields of environmental science, urban planning, engineering, information technology and architecture are invited to take part in the “LifeHack Valmiera” hackathon. Both teams and individual participants who are ready to apply their knowledge and skills to contribute to improving the urban environment in Valmiera can apply.
Participants are invited to choose one of six challenges designed to improve the urban environment and ecological sustainability of Valmiera. The topics include innovative approaches to flood-risk mitigation, the urban heat-island problem, and improving water quality.
During the “LifeHack Valmiera” hackathon, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from the city of Valmiera, Riga Technical University, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, the University of Tartu, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, and companies from the environmental and technology sectors. The experts will provide support and consultation so that participants have access to the data and information needed to develop effective solutions.
“By supporting the organisation of the hackathon, the goal of Valmiera Municipality is to identify opportunities for addressing environmental problem areas in the city of Valmiera with nature-based solutions that would provide the residents and visitors of Valmiera with a diverse, well-maintained and accessible environment. We expect that the ideas developed by the teams during the hackathon will be not only innovative and environmentally friendly, but will also raise residents’ awareness of the possibilities for the sustainable use of natural resources,” notes Ramona Višņevska, chief project manager for urban-planning and design matters at Valmiera Municipality.
The hackathon is organised by Riga Technical University in cooperation with Valmiera Municipality and Valmiera Technical School, and is held within and with the support of the European Union LIFE programme project “LIFE LatEstAdapt” (“Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions to improve the climate resilience of cities in Latvia and Estonia”).
Before the hackathon, on 8 May, an online event will take place where you can learn more about the hackathon, its challenges, and a team-building session will be organised.
Applications for the “LifeHack Valmiera” hackathon are open until 12 May 2024.
More information and registration on the “LifeHack Valmiera” website:
https://lifehackvalmiera.hacktribe.co
Take part in “LifeHack Valmiera” and create innovative environmental solutions!
Contact information:
Jurijs Kondratenko, Riga Technical University, [email protected]
Kārlis Skuja, Riga Technical University, [email protected]
The hackathon is organised by Riga Technical University in cooperation with Valmiera Municipality and is held within and with the support of the European Union LIFE programme project “LIFE LatEstAdapt” (“Development and demonstration of a portfolio of nature-based and smart solutions to improve the climate resilience of cities in Latvia and Estonia”). The project has received funding from the European Union LIFE programme, the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund of the State Regional Development Agency, and the Estonian Ministry of Climate. The information reflects only the views of the LIFE LatEstAdapt project implementers, and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.
