Enhancement of Green Infrastructure in the Landscape of Lowland Rivers

The common challenge faced by the project partners was to ensure efficient management of green infrastructure created by lowland rivers of the bordering region, where the status of river ecosystems and landscapes is not fully satisfactory. To find out more, please read project’s  informative leaflet.

Project aimed to enhance river-based green infrastructure by integrating ecosystem and landscape concepts in to the planning and integrated management of the lowland rivers at local and regional scale. This was achieved by strengthening cooperation between public authorities and stakeholders and supporting local and regional authorities with know-how by implementing measures and practices to enhance river based green infrastructure.

The project main activities:

• established cooperation via the Stakeholder Panel on landscape and green infrastructure planning and management;
• organised capacity building activities:
  – study visit to Manchester, United Kingdom (September 25-29, 2019) to increase the capacity of the project team by learning on planning approaches, cooperation with different stakeholders and the practical river restoration activities in the United Kingdom (summary report);
  – training on how to integrate nature conservation aspects into landscape planning and planning of green infrastructure (November 14-15, 2018, Birži, Lithuania; agenda and presentations);
  – cross-border workshop on landscape planning and integration of ecological, social, cultural and economic aspects (September 12-13, 2019, Bauska/Rundāle, Latvia, agenda and presentations);
• elaborated Methodology for Regional Lanscapde and Green Infrastructure Planning in Lowland Areas: available here.
• developed four Landscape and Green Infrastructure Plans: Zemgale Planning region (ENG summary), Bauska municipality (ENG summary), Svēte catchment (ENG presentation) and Biržai Town (LIT version);
• implemented different type measures/actions for enhancing green infrastructure at different locations in the cross border area: cleaned-up the overgrown waterways along the River Mūsa and Mēmele in Bauska municipality; landscaping the Vīna kalns area in Bauska nature park in Rundāle municipality, landscaping and restoration of Apaščia river banks in Biržai Town, improving infrastructure in Biržai district as well as Cherry garden of Žagare.;
• elaborated brochure Green infrastructure of lowland rivers for safeguarding nature and human well-being (available also in Latvian and Lithuanian) (2020);
• elaborated a variety of communication products like video on main project activities and achievements (2020) and final virtual “conference” materials (available on Youtube) (2020);
• elaborated recommendations on enhancing integrated planning approach for deployment of green infrastructure from national to local level (in Latvian, Lithuanian and English) (2020).

The project had direct positive impact of sustainable development as it supports the implementation of the Programme’s Priority I related to resource efficiency and environmental friendly behavior. Moreover, the maintenance of green infrastructure requires integration of ecological, cultural, economic and societal perspectives into planning and management. These perspectives form the key pillars of the sustainable development where the multiple effects were considered in policy development planning and implementation.

The collaboration between the two countries in development of joint methodology and approaches for lowland river landscape management was not only strengthen co-operation, experience exchange and mutual benefits in the planning process, but also created better opportunities for future joint actions in maintenance the common assets of the lowlands in the border region, including biodiversity, landscape and the green infrastructure supporting it.

This information  has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this information is the sole responsibility of Baltic Environmental Forum-Latvia and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
www.europa.eu