Symbiotic Urban Lanscape. Climate Change Adaption Solutions for Jelgava

Jelgava’s urban landscape faces increasing climate challenges, including rising temperatures, extreme weather, flood risks, and ecosystem degradation. The city’s blue-green infrastructure is no longer suited to modern climate conditions and new policies. This thesis proposes to develop a symbiotic blue-green infrastructure plan to mitigate the growing impact of climate change in Jelgava, while promoting synergistic relationships between human activity and natural ecosystems.

Inspired by the Symbiotic Cities theory by Dutch scientist Marian Stuiver, this project envisions a harmonious coexistence between nature and humans, emphasizing ecocentrism, equality, and nature’s values. Historically, humans revered nature, relying on biodiversity for survival. However, industrialization disrupted this balance, leading to urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate challenges. Today, people face health and psycho-emotional issues due to environmental discomfort, while greenhouse gas emissions drive climate change, creating global risks. This project envisions a symbiotic urban landscape in Jelgava, where blue-green infrastructure, ecological networks and modular urban solutions enhance climate resilience and reconnect people with nature. The city is treated as a living organism, integrating green corridors, urban forests, and adaptive public spaces to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Flood-resilient blue infrastructure includes raingardens and climate-adaptive materials, while green corridors and urban forests mitigate heat stress, improve air quality and biodiversity, simultaneously improving human well-being on multiple levels Fragmented green spaces are reconnected through wildlife-friendly meadows and multifunctional landscapes. Following ecocentrism, equality, and the intrinsic value of nature, the project redefines urban development as a mutual growth process between human communities and ecosystems. By reintroducing natural processes into the built environment, it fosters a harmonious, resilient cityscape, making Jelgava a model for climate adaptation, social well-being, and urban biodiversity restoration.