RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL
«Trespassing: Architecture and Urbanism»
August 2-15, 2009
Riga, Valka (Latvia), Valga (Estonia)
Welcome to the border area of Latvia and Estonia!
There are only few places in the world, where structurally homogeneous urban patterns are mechanically divided into separate parts for political reasons. The most obvious cold war “product” – West and East Berlin has reunited successfully. State border still crosses Gorlitz (Germany) – Zgorzelec (Poland); Frankfurt-Oder (Germany) – Slubice (Poland); Narva (Estonia) – Ivangorod (Russia) and Valka (Latvia) – Valga (Estonia). Riga Technical University invites you to discover architecture, urban and cultural processes in Valka and Valga – the border area of two Baltic States.
The town of Walk was first mentioned in 1286 and in 1584 it acquired the status of a town. In 1920 after the proclamation of the independence of Latvia and Estonia, Walk was divided into Latvian and Estonian parts obtaining new names Valka and Valga. The state border crossed the former town centre dividing it into two parallel-existing separate parts. During the Soviet occupation the interstate border in Valka and Valga was removed, however, each town was administered autonomously. Following the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Estonia, the ties between both towns weakened and the interstate borders and border posts were re-established. After the accession of Latvia and Estonia to the European Union and joining the Schengen Convention, the physical borders in the centre of Valka and Valga have been removed again and both towns have again acquired a single urban space. In this situation it is possible to consider the development of both towns as of a united system in future as well as to predict the most essential problems that may hamper development. Using Summer School as an experimental laboratory of ideas and hypotheses, we will yield unexpected discoveries and innovative development proposals for the border area.
Host of the Summer School
The Summer School is organized by the International and Public Relations Department and the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of Riga Technical University. The Summer School is supported by Valka Town Council and Valka-Valga Joint Secretariat. Riga Technical University is the oldest university in Latvia, and it has long-standing almost 150 years old traditions dating back to 1862. At present it is one of the largest universities in the country and gathers nearly 17 000 students at eight faculties in various study programs. Riga Technical University is the only institution in Latvia providing higher education in architecture and urban planning at graduate and post-graduate levels. About 300 students are studying at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, which is active in carrying out scientific research activities as well.
Topic
For many decades while Valka has been developing into the jurisdiction of two states the quality of townscape and the condition of urban structure has significantly decreased. The picturesque town centre used to be the borderland of two states. The actual task of the regeneration of a common urban townscape is to soften this impact, defining the establishment of the public recreational area as a priority of the frontier area. As the community of Valka-Valga is divided by ethnic affiliation, the activities focusing on social integration could provoke a sense of a common townscape in the members of both communities.
The goal of the Summer School is to promote urban design processes by initiating a broader discussion on the various aspects of high-quality sustainable use and development of urban space, specifying them along interdisciplinary lines, modelling versatile utilisation options of public open-air spaces of the state border area in Valka and Valga. We are going to analyse the existing conditions, to suggest innovative and realistic improvements of the architectural values of the border area and to create legible future vision from which to develop design guidelines for functions, pedestrian open space, streetscape and architecture form.
Globalization, urbanization and identity; community development; open space integration and housing; the border of two states as a tourist attraction – those are only some of the topics for discussions within the workshops.
Target Audience
The Summer School invites students of most diverse specialisations and branches – Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, Geography, Fine Arts, Economics and Social sciences, and other fields – taking interest in the formation of environment to come together and in an informal atmosphere model new urban processes, choosing the specific focus areas of study to meet their interests – from the design of improvement of the territory and installations in nature by interactive modelling of situations to involvement in theoretical research projects.
Requirements
You will have finished at least one year of studies by the time the Summer School starts.
You speak fluent English.
You appreciate the experience of qualified professionals and enjoy creative work.
Program
During the Summer School you will be offered a wide program consisting of lectures and discussions, workshops and sightseeing tours. The program will be conducted by practicing architects, urban planners, developers etc. Lectures and workshops will be held in English.
The first day of the Summer School is spent in Riga, in the capital of the Republic of Latvia. A sightseeing tour will give you an impression of Riga’s architectural treasures: starting from the historic centre of Riga that is one of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites and ending with latest developments.
Lectures, discussions, project planning and workshops will take place in Valka. You will work in a multidisciplinary and multinational environment and look for different experiences, concepts and ideas, create your own visions and proposals for public open space, built form, preservation and integration of new development into the city structure. The results of your work will be presented at an exhibition in Valka, Valga and Riga and displayed on the internet.
The social program will include guided tours and excursions, film evenings, parties, sport activities and more.
Study Credits
Certificate of Further Education of Riga Technical University will be awarded upon completion of the program. The course entitles participants three (3) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. Overseas students may negotiate a credit with their university.
Arrival and Departure
The transfer to and from Riga should be organized and paid individually. Riga can be easily reached by plane (http://www.riga-airport.com; http://www.airbaltic.com), bus (http://www.eurolines.lv; http://www.ecolines.lv). From Belarus, Russia and Ukraine you can travel also by train to Riga (http://sirius.ldz.lv), from Sweden by ferry (http://www.tallink.lv). Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance in order to organize your journey.
Travel costs to and from Valka as well as all the excursions are included in the participation fee.
Accommodation and Meals
The accommodation is organised in a dormitory. You will receive catering coupons for breakfast and dinner.
Participation Fee
The participation fee, including registration, tuition, accommodation, meals (breakfast and dinner) and social program is EUR 635. Limited number of partial bursaries is available; however, you should be able to cover your own travel expenses and health insurance.
Insurance
The International Summer School in Riga accepts no liability for accidents, theft or any damage or injury that might occur during the course. For the duration of the course you are asked to carry extended personal liability insurance and health insurance.
Application
The deadline of submitting the application is May 29, 2009. The application documents should be in English. For the application form, please visit the homepage of the Summer School http://www.summerschool.rtu.lv and http://summerschoolrtu.wordpress.com/ or it can be sent to you by e-mail, upon request.
Please enclose the following documents:
CV;
Letter of motivation (1 page);
Brief motivation for bursary.
Contact
The organizing committee at the International and Public Relations Department of RTU will be happy to answer all questions concerning organizational matters, which might occur before the Summer School starts or during its course.
Evita Serjogina
International and Public Relations Department
Riga Technical University
1 Kalku Street, Room 307
Riga, LV-1658, Latvia
Phone: +371 67089021
Fax: +371 67089312
e-mail: evita.serjogina@rtu.lv
http://www.summerschool.rtu.lv and http://summerschoolrtu.wordpress.com/
