The cooperation memorandum signed by Riga City Council, University of Latvia (LU), Riga Technical University (RTU) and Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) envisages joint efforts to develop the "Knowledge Mile" area, attracting both Latvian and foreign students, as well as promoting Riga as a European innovation and the city of knowledge.
The center of Riga and Pārdaugava are becoming a student center that forms a single "Knowledge Mile", because the largest Latvian universities - LU, RSU, RTU - are located a short distance from each other and are already strategically connected geographically. This is a good prerequisite for the development of research, urban environment and entrepreneurship in this territory, therefore, by signing the memorandum, the Riga City Council and the universities agree to work purposefully to promote Riga as a center of innovation and knowledge not only in the Baltic States and Northern Europe, but also on a global scale.
"Every city must be able to define its economic identity, and with this agreement on in-depth long-term cooperation with Latvian universities, Riga declares knowledge to be its mark of identity. We are a city that wants to earn with knowledge, to create competitive solutions and products both in Riga and Latvia, and in Europe and the world, which create and will create added value, make cities and countries wealthier, life more comfortable and prosperous for our people," says the chairman of the Riga City Council Vilnis Ķirsis.
He hopes that, over time, other Latvian centers of knowledge and excellence will join the memorandum, for example the Latvian National Library, because the result can be achieved by many working towards one goal.
Study and research space
RTU Rector Tālis Juhna states that the "Knowledge Mile" is primarily a study and research space where three strong universities can cooperate, which complement each other, creating new knowledge, ideas and innovations and thus helping Riga and Latvia to develop. However, the space in which knowledge is produced is equally important.
"RTU is included in the "Knowledge Mile" with its vision - to become an island of innovation that is constantly changing and developing, and for its realization, the support of the municipality and purposeful cooperation both in the direction of the local planning of the RTU Ķīpsala complex, and in the closer cooperation of Riga City Council's joint-stock company with researchers in the new technology and in the development of solutions, and in building the interest and awareness of Riga children in STEM," said T. Juhna.
The parties also undertake to promote students' stay in the public outdoor space by developing the city's parks, squares, waterfronts. In order to ensure this, the municipality is already building new infrastructure, for example, a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the Kīleveina ditch was opened last year, the Mūkusala Street promenade is being reconstructed, a bridge over the Zunda channel is planned to be built in the next few years, and special attention is paid to the construction of new bicycle paths. On the other hand, universities purposefully introduce new technologies and develop academic centers.
The next step is the integration of city schools
"Knowledge Mile" connects not only the homes of our three universities in Pārdaugava. It is a road that is intended for all residents of Latvia and Riga, because it connects the historical heritage of our capital with our vision of the future. Riga is like a living laboratory where future applications are experimented and tested, developing modern higher education and the city as one of the most modern study environments. We, the three science universities, and our great strategic partner – the city of Riga – must together create a comfortable, safe and innovative solution-based knowledge path that has the capacity to solve much bigger challenges than just this one mile. Our future is children and young people, so the next step would be to integrate the city's schools in this knowledge mile. This is our duty - to make science accessible to children, young people, residents of Riga and Latvia," emphasizes The rector of LU Gundars Bērziņš.
One of the priorities is the attraction of Latvian and foreign students
One of the priority areas envisaged by the cooperation memorandum is the attraction of Latvian and foreign students. To implement this, convenient, safe, sustainable and accessible public transport and micro-mobility infrastructure are needed. It is important that students can freely access universities from neighborhoods and from regional and international transport hubs, as well as move freely between educational institutions.
RSU Rector Aigars Pētersons says that through mutual cooperation between Riga City Council and research universities, it is possible to fully and modernly develop international knowledge, excellent research, innovations, technology transfer to industry and support for competitive business.
"One of the most important contributions of Riga Stradiņš University to the capital is more than 3,000 foreign students, who are mostly young people from the most economically developed countries of the European Union. We invite the Riga City Council to continue the successful development of the city's infrastructure in the area of the Science Mile in recent years. It would be important to improve bicycle and pedestrian routes, modernize public transport stops and carry out other environmental improvement projects. They are important for our students, teaching staff, and researchers from Latvia and abroad," he says.
Will regularly assess progress towards goals
Special attention will be paid to research and creation of innovations in order to increase the capacity and competitiveness of educational institutions, while researchers, new talents and technologies will help Riga to find the most effective solutions in non-standard situations. Until now, Riga has already cooperated with universities, developing the city's digital twin, in architecture and urban planning, road maintenance, and the fruits of the work can be appreciated by every resident of Riga. In order to implement such important and priority research and pilot projects for the city, researchers will have access to both the necessary infrastructure and laboratories. The municipality will provide a "green corridor" for the implementation of these projects, as well as support and promote cooperation with the startup ecosystem.
The Universities and the Riga City Council will meet regularly to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of the work done and the progress towards achieving the goals.
Photo: Riga City Council