Multi-Functional Flood Defence: Building Resilience in Adaži Municipality

Ādaži Municipality in central Latvia, intersected by the Gauja River, is highly susceptible to seasonal flooding and riverbank erosion. Low-lying areas such as Ādaži town, Carnikava parish, and Nurnieki face heightened risks during heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Prior to recent interventions, flooding was frequent, endangering homes, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Climate change has intensified these challenges, with increased precipitation overwhelming ageing dikes and drainage systems. At the same time, rising demands for mobility and recreational space led to a reassessment of how flood protection infrastructure could serve multiple public functions.

Ādaži Municipality aimed to develop a modern, multi-functional flood defence system that combined hydraulic efficiency with urban accessibility, environmental protection, and climate resilience. The first major intervention (2012–2014) involved constructing a flood embankment along the Gauja River between Kadaga and Gauja Bridges. Funded by EU, national, and municipal sources, the €960,182 project focused solely on flood prevention, without pedestrian or cyclist infrastructure.

A larger initiative in Carnikava parish, "Flood Risk Reduction in Carnikava," invested €4.37 million (co-financed by the ERDF) to reconstruct four dikes and build three new ones. This phase adopted a dual-purpose design: one bank preserved ecological functions as a green dike, while the other was developed as a public promenade, with an additional €293,222 allocated for lighting and visual enhancements.

Between 2019 and 2020, the project "Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Mitigation in Ādaži, Part 1" focused on technical rehabilitation, including the restoration of a 1,557-metre dike section, reconstruction of the main pumping station, and riverbank reinforcement. This €3.2 million ERDF-supported phase addressed critical infrastructure needs, but without recreational upgrades.

In 2023, following strong public input, the municipality announced plans to convert part of the dike into a green mobility corridor. The 2024 budget earmarked €330,000 for the first 3.4 km section, with a full 9.8 km upgrade estimated at €925,000. The project aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist access while maintaining flood protection, with funding expected from municipal and future EU or national programmes.