Riga Showcases Smart Solutions for a Sustainable City
As part of European Mobility Week, Riga City Municipality is launching initiatives that not only encourage residents to reduce daily car use but also provide a chance to explore the smart technologies already used in the municipality’s day-to-day work.
On September 17, from 12:30 to 14:30, the parking lot on Mazā Jauniela was transformed into a space where municipal employees and Riga City Council members could see innovative smart solutions already being used or tested by different city departments.
For a few hours, the parking lot became a place to relax, meet colleagues in an informal setting, and explore the latest smart technologies that help Riga become a more people-friendly and sustainable urban environment.
Demonstrating Innovative Technology
The event aimed to give decision-makers hands-on experience with the technologies used in the daily management of the city.
The Riga Municipal Police showcased their drone technology and how it’s used for traffic surveillance and risk management. Specialists from the City Development Department demonstrated how drones are used to collect and update urban data, which is then made available through the city’s geoportal, GEO RĪGA. There residents can view or download the data in the open data section.
As part of the “Urban Releaf” pilot project, visitors were introduced to portable temperature and humidity sensors used in the citizen science campaign “A Step Toward a Greener City.”
These technologies highlight the importance of using modern tools to efficiently gather, analyze, and apply data in decision-making. Public involvement in collecting this information is crucial, as it allows residents to actively contribute to improving how the city is managed.
Trying Out Micromobility Solutions
Alongside the demonstrations, visitors had the chance to try out a micromobility solution – the Bruntor cargo e-scooter. This scooter has been tested for street cleaning in Old Riga and maintenance work in Mežaparks. Latvijas Pasts also tested it for last-mile deliveries. Today, the cargo scooter is used both for public space cleaning and is being tested as a valuable support tool at the Riga Zoo.
Taking Real Steps Toward a Smart City
Riga’s experience shows that developing a smart city is not just important – it’s essential. The city is actively implementing modern solutions to improve urban life. Smart technologies, open data, and micromobility options have already become part of the municipality’s daily work, helping to make Riga more livable, sustainable, and people-centered.
These initiatives continued on September 18 with the Smart Cities Conference 2025, held in Riga for the fourth consecutive year. The event focused on sharing new ideas and experiences to make cities smarter, safer, more sustainable, and better for people.
