From 30 September to 1 October, the autumn conference of the European network of major metropolises (METREX) is being held this year by the municipality of Riga. . The main theme and theme of the measure is “Towards spatial strategies for self-changing metropolitan areas” (English va L. – towards implementing spatial strategies in continuoiusly changing metropolitan areas).
“Half of Latvia's population lives in the Riga metropolitan area and most of the country's economy is concentrated. . If we want to take advantage of this potential and in line with other Baltic and Nordic metropolises, we must be able to think and plan more broadly than the borders of one municipality, think and act in the region. I. Traffic infrastructure, mobility, a common view on accessibility of education, solutions to a cleaner environment make life better and more comfortable for our people, contribute to the influx of investments and the emergence of new jobs,» – says Edward Smiltan, Riga City Council Vice-President.
The first day of the event will present a vision for the spatial development of the Riga metropolitan area, plans for cooperation and major projects. . In parallel to the conference sessions, the Riga metropolitan area municipal Mayors' Forum will also take place, in which Riga will be represented by E. Smiltenn. s. On the other hand, the second day of the conference will be devoted to an overview of the metropolitan transformations of the Baltic and Central European countries, as well as TO the role of THE METREX network to influence the European Union's urban development policy.
Together with Milan, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam and others – a total of 45 major European metropolises are active in THE METREX network. The cooperation of planners in the Northern – Baltic working group, where neighbouring metropolises – Helsinki, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo are also participating without Riga.
In view of the epidemiological situation, the conference will take place in a remote video conference mode.
Additional information on the European large metropolitan network (METREX) and upcoming conference in English is available at: https://www.eurometrex.org/.
Information prepared by: Human Resources and Communication Division of the City Development Department of Riga City Council, tel.: 67105226, e-mail: inese.paberza@riga.lv