August 2-15, 2009

Riga, Valka (Latvia), Valga (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.

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.

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.

       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.

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.

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.

The transfer to and from Riga should be organized and paid individually. Riga can be easily reached by plane (www.riga-airport.com; www.airbaltic.com), bus (www.eurolines.lv; www.ecolines.lv). From Belarus, Russia and Ukraine you can travel also by train to Riga (http://sirius.ldz.lv), from Sweden by ferry (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.

The accommodation is organised in a dormitory. You will receive catering coupons for breakfast and dinner.

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.

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.

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.

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/

www.valka.lv

www.valga.ee

Someone is working on site someone is the best friend of Photoshop. Tutors helping participants and all together creating.

The Summer School will take place in Riga, the capital of the Republic of Latvia, a very lively city near the Baltic Sea with 731,8 thousand inhabitants. It is an outstanding place of architectural treasures. In the historic centre of Riga that is inscribed on the UNESCO`s World Cultural Heritage List examples of all architectural styles characteristic for the Northern Europe, starting from Gothic to Modernism, are found. Riga offers a wide selection of leisure activities for young people. Dynamic streets, countless coffee-bars, beautiful parks and squares and excellent concerts will offer you different opportunities for an exciting stay.

Host of the Summer School

The Summer School is organized by Riga Technical University. It 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

Utilization of publicly open and attractively scenic waterfronts is a topical issue faced by all cities located on the banks of water reservoirs. The reduction of territories formerly allocated to ports and inventory of the existing waterfronts allow assessing new development possibilities of waterfronts as well as prioritizing qualitative and quantitative development of out-door recreation-focused public spaces. It is worth mentioning that water reservoirs in Riga occupy about 16% or 48.50 km² of its territory, the length of rivers within its boundaries is 96.40 km, but the intensity of public use of waterfronts in comparison with other capitals of the Baltic Sea region, is relatively weak.

One of the most spacious public recreation areas in Riga is Mežaparks (Forest Park). It is a pine forest covered park territory located on the bank of Ķīšezers – the biggest lake in Riga. Already in the early 20th century Mežaparks was turned into a picturesque area of private housing developed following the very popular in Europe at that time idea of garden city. The tram line connected the area to the city centre. In 1912, the Riga Zoo started its operation on the bank of Ķīšezers, and in 1949 next to it – the Culture and Recreation Park, a vast territory partly improved and partly natural (forest) with several buildings and structures for public functions and entertainment. The most important building, which has recently undergone minor structural transformations, is the Mežaparks Open-Air Stage, built in 1955, to accommodate about 17000 choir singers on the stage and about 30000 spectators in the amphitheatre, has still survived. Because of its big seating capacity and convenient urban location, the Mežaparks Open-Air Stage, since its commissioning, has played an especially significant role in enhancing the Latvian cultural identity as a venue of regularly held National Latvian Song Festivals. Other entertainment-focused buildings of the Culture and Recreation Park – the Open-Air or Green Theatre and the Movie Theatre – have not survived until nowadays.

Despite the fact that Mežaparks is easily accessible from the city centre and there are versatile recreation possibilities by the waterfront and on the Park territory, due to modest supply of services the potential of the Park is still insufficiently utilized. The Recreation Park and the Riga Zoo – two recreation-focused spatial structures – operate in parallel and lack any interconnecting links. The waterfront too is used very irregularly, and in the winter season there are practically no recreation activities available there.

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 Riga Mežaparks area.

Target Audience

The Summer School invites students of most diverse specialisations and branches – architecture, urban planning and design, music, art, literature, economics, social and natural 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 highly qualified professionals and enjoy creative work.

Program

During the Summer School you will be offered a wide program consisting of lectures, seminars and discussions, workshops and sightseeing tours. The program will be conducted by qualified practicing architects, urban planners, historians, developers etc. Seminars, lectures and workshops will be held in English.

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 Riga and displayed on the internet.

The social program will include guided tours and excursions, visits to museums, film and folk-dance evenings, sailing tour and more.

Arrival and Departure

The transfer to and from Riga should be organized individually. Riga can be easily reached by plane (www.riga-airport.com; www.airbaltic.com), bus (www.eurolines.lv; www.ecolines.lv), train (from Belarus, Russia, the Ukraine) or ferry (from Germany, Sweden). Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information!

Accommodation and Meals

You will stay at a students dormitory. You will receive catering coupons for breakfast and lunch.

Participation Fee

The participation fee, including registration, tuition, accommodation, meals (breakfast and lunch) and social program is EUR 750. Partial bursaries are 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 June 5, 2008. The application documents should be in English. For the application form, please visit the homepage of RTU www.rtu.lv/summerschool 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.

Jolanta Jurēvica
International and Public Relations Department
Riga Technical University
1 Kaļķu Street, Room 322
Riga, LV-1658, Latvia
Phone: +371 67089055
Fax: +371 67089067
e-mail: Jolanta.Jurevica@rtu.lv
www.summerschool.rtu.lv