Duration of the project
18.07.2011. - 05.11.2011.
Countries and institutions involved in the project
Description of the project
The seminar ”Research of metropolitan regions, German experience, research methodology usage in the case of Riga agglomeration” took place in Riga, Latvia, 28.09.2011.-30.09.2011. The seminar was organized by the Doctoral School ”European Integration and Baltic Sea Region: Diversity and Perspectives” (University of Latvia) and Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences (University of Latvia) in cooperation with Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (Germany).
The aims of the seminar were to acquire an urban research methodology used in Germany so it could be adapted for the use in the Baltic States; to get acquainted with a research experience in the studies of urban regions (agglomerations) in Germany; to promote the cooperation in scientific research between University of Latvia and Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and to foster the development of the study process in institutions involved in the seminar.
The seminar was attended by participants of the Doctoral School, master’s level students, PhD students from other universities, young scientists, university lecturers and professionals. The main activities of the project were the selection of the seminar materials and bibliography, preparatory stage for presentations and discussions, two-day seminar with the participation of local professionals, PhD students from Latvia and Germany and guest lecturers, discussions and presentations of the research results. At the end of the seminar a field symposium was held in the suburban area of Riga (Ķekava municipality), where participants got acquainted with various processes of development in the metropolitan regions, evaluated the possibilities of the practical use of research results and discussed with local experts.
The conception of the project is based on the use of two important approaches for evaluation of the potential of urban regions – the evaluation of exogenous forces and their implications (related to implications of the European and national policies) and the evaluation of endogenous forces and their implications. The metropolitan regions can be analyzed on the basis of such methodology and the use of this approach provides possibilities to elaborate specific suggestions for national and municipal policy makers and urban planners.
