DESIGNATHON 2025 Tukums

1. Time, place and organizer November 17-22, Šlokenbeka Hotel, Milzkalne, Tukums municipality.

   Organizer Airopolis Smarde Association https://www.airopolis.lv/kontakti/

2. Theme for the 2025 DESIGNATHON event
   Transformation of the Tukums Municipal Airport area into a significant Baltic-scale transport hub.

3. Type of participant involvement this year
   Participation in creative groups to create the best solution for the practical task

4. Practical task for the creative groups of the event participants
   Create a presentation that clearly reflects the 2025 theme, with a free-form explanation, i.e. what measures should be taken to make the Tukums Airport area a significant Baltic-scale transport hub. The presentation should include the desired spatial planning scheme, development period milestones, possible development stages, priorities for synergy of all modes of transport, economic development effect. It is advisable to include references to comparable examples in different countries and Dubendorf Airport in the presentation.

5. Insight into the future concept of Dubendorf Airport
   During the event, participants are introduced to the example of the development of Dubendorf Airport in Switzerland, which also examines the proximity of Kloten Airport, as well as the possible synergy and future specialization of both airports.

6. ETH University cooperation with the developer of Dubendorf Airport
   The event discusses one of the development directions of ETH Zurich University, based on the intended growth and enabling factors of the Dubendorf Airport Innovation Park, in order to attract start-up companies, universities, young specialists and long-term investments to this location.

7. Comparison of Tukums Airport with the Dubendorf Airport area
   Possible synergy and the development of a common cooperation plan are compared, looking at twin airport pairs in other countries. The Dubendorf – Kloten pair and the Tukums – Riga pair are taken into closer consideration, and the common future benefits for each airport, mobility connectivity, scale effects, specialization are considered.

8. Insight into the presentations of the 2024 DESIGNATHON participant teams
   During the event, previous 2024 participant presentations, sketches, territory plans and texts can be viewed in a single pop-up exhibition.

9. Detailed schedule of the 2025 event days (Flights: 16.nov 19:20 – 23.nov 17:00)

   November 17 – a trip for foreign guests to the characteristic neighborhoods of Tukums municipality
   November 18 – all participants attend the events of the Latvian Independence Day holiday
   November 19 – formation of creative groups, preparation of presentations, questions to lecturers
   November 20 – work in creative groups at Slokenbeka Manor hotel https://slokenbeka.lv/
   November 21 – summary of creative group works, presentations and awards
   November 22 – networking and leisure activities for DESIGNATHON participants

10. Free time opportunities for participants
    Foreign guests are invited to attend the Latvian National Holiday celebrations on November 18, attending cultural or entertainment events. DESIGNATHON organizers provide transport for exploring the Tukums municipality, as well as organize joint trips in the evenings, from the Milzkalne station to Riga, by train.