RIGA
MULTIFUNCTIONAL FOOD HUB
On this page you will learn about the Visionary and Integrated Solutions (VIS) implemented in the pilot city of Riga during the course of the IN-HABIT project.
About the city
Latvia’s capital city and largest city, Riga has a population of more than 600,000 inhabitants that is steadily declining. It is also the most economically developed and vibrant city in Latvia. The city’s historical Āgenskalns neighbourhood, on the left bank of the river Daugava, is currently envisaged as a residential area and place for innovative businesses, with three university campuses and the National Library located nearby.
Thematic focus: Food
Geographical focus: Āgenskalns neighbourhood
OBJECTIVE
The project aimed to transform a historical neighbourhood market into a multifunctional urban food hub with impacts on Inclusive Health and Wellbeing.
VIS SUMMARY
IN-HABIT established Āgenskalns market as a hub for sustainably produced and locally sourced food in the area. The market also served as a recreational and educational space, integrating a wide range of activities for visitors of different ages and social groups, such as children’s playgrounds, therapy gardens and other inclusive community facilities.
DISCOVER RIGA'S VISIONARY AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
1. Cultural events at the Āgenskalns Market
2. Social events at the Āgenskalns Market
3. Economic/trade events at the Āgenskalns Market
4. Educational events at the Āgenskalns Market
5. Environmental events at the Āgenskalns Market
6. Transformation of the outdoor marketplace
7. Community (co-creation) kitchen
8. Lift for increased accessibility
9. Eco-island
1. Cultural events at the Āgenskalns Market
Type: Soft and Hard VIS / Social and Cultural innovation
These events revolve around professional and amateur arts. They include concerts, artistic performances, theatrical shows, dances, and musical performances. Folk, jazz and choir music concerts are frequent at the market. Similarly to social events, cultural events are offered free of charge and are aimed at the general public. Most of them take place in the transformed outdoor marketplace (community stage, community greenhouse).
• “Summer evening”: Folk group GRODI plays music and invites everyone to dance, both old and young.
• “Improvised theatre about conspiracy theories”: In interaction with the audience, actors create plays in which they imagine what would happen if conspiracy theories were true.
2. Social events at the Āgenskalns Market
Type: Soft VIS / Social and Cultural innovation
These events take different forms: festivities, celebrations, competitions, creative workshops, sport activities, community sharing and gifting events, reading sessions, meal preparation, ethnic days... They are oriented towards the general public and the participants include various groups from Āgenskalns neighbourhood as well as visitors, tourists and residents of other neighbourhoods. A common characteristic of social events is their interactive nature, thereby facilitating community engagement and skill development. They also act against discrimination and foster inclusion. Thematically speaking, social events may be related to different topics from calendar festivities to food, ethnic cultures, crafts and sports.
Examples:
• “National Independence Day”: The market tables are decorated with white tablecloths, the Latvian music is played, in the cafes and market stands on the 1st floor special gifts from local farmers and craftswomen are provided.
• “Read your favourite book”: Participants bring their favourite book and read aloud the 79th page.
3. Economic/trade events at the Āgenskalns Market
Type: Soft VIS / Social and Cultural innovation
These events bring together antiquity traders and customers interested in second-hand goods, reuse and repair practices. Trade events relate to the minimisation of waste dimension of the Riga INHUB. They promote the ideas of sustainable lifestyles and circular resource use and potentially contribute to economic wellbeing.
Examples:
• Weekly flea market
• Monthly vintage market
4. Educational events at the Āgenskalns Market
Type: Soft VIS / Social and Cultural Innovation
Educational events, compared to social and cultural events, are more targeted towards specific groups, such as young people, families with children, senior citizens, work collectives, gardeners, ethnic minorities, refugees. Most educational events are offered free of charge. Some exceptions are cooking and degustation events, and masterclasses requested by organisational clients.
• “Speed-dating about health”: Speed dating with the members of Riga Stradiņš University scientific research group on heart health, physical health and healthy nutrition, while throughout the day traders offer fresh and local produce.
• “Cook with a celebrity”: A famous film director shares his cooking experience and various recipes by demonstrating meal preparation at the community kitchen.
5. Environmental events at the Āgenskalns Market
Type: Soft VIS / Nature-Based and Cultural innovation
These events are devoted to gardening (using the premises of the community garden), waste sorting and minimisation of waste at the market, improvement of energy-efficiency of buildings, repair and recycling activities and broader environmental topics.
• “Repair café”: A community event where people come together to fix their broken items and learn repairing skills.
6. Transformation of the outdoor marketplace
Type: Hard VIS / Social and Cultural innovation
Restoration of the area outside the market pavilion into a dynamic and inclusive multifunctional space for social gatherings that combines food provision with cultural and educational opportunities.
7. Community (co-creation) kitchen
Type: Hard VIS / Social and Cultural innovation
A dedicated area on the first floor of the market pavilion equipped with the necessary appliances to host community cooking and co-creation events targeted at different audiences. Most events are organised for free or at cost.
8. Lift for increased accesibility
Type: Hard VIS / Technological Innovation
The installation of a lift in the historic neighbourhood market such Āgenskalns Market is a crucial step towards ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. This addition allows individuals with mobility impairments, including elderly residents, people with disabilities, and parents with young children, to fully enjoy everything the market has to offer. By removing the physical barrier of stairs, the market can cater to a wider range of customers, promoting community engagement and supporting the needs of a diverse population.
9. Eco-island
Type: Hard VIS / Nature-Based and Cultural innovation
This eco-island was established in the courtyard area of Āgenskalns Market with the aim of improving waste sorting practices and reducing the volume of waste. An internal audit of waste management at the market revealed that the biggest issue with waste sorting was among the vendors. As a result, a dedicated area for waste sorting was created, along with the appointment of a person responsible for educational outreach and assistance.
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