MUSTBE

MUSTBE Project in 2024: the First Pilot Sites Constructed

In 2023 the MUSTBE project focused on planning, sampling and baseline measurements e.g. preparatory work of the seven pilot sites. The year 2024 ended with the completion of the first two nature-based stormwater treatment solutions, and in 2025 construction of the remaining five pilot sites is planned to commence.

These two MUSTBE pilot sites in Pori have been the first to complete the construction of their nature-based solutions for stormwater management. A stormwater tree solution was completed for a car park in the centre of Pori and a wetland restoration solution for a wetland in a district in the northern part of the city. Photos: Meri-Maaria Salo and Marjatta Halme

As 2023 was a year of laying the groundwork for the MUSTBE project, the year 2024 was leaning more towards actual construction work. According to MUSTBE Lead Partner and Project Manager Siim Reinla from the municipality of Viimsi, Estonia, the most significant result achieved during the year 2024 was the completion of the construction of two nature-based stormwater management solutions in the city of Pori, Finland.

– This means that we have more than a year to measure effectiveness of constructed solutions in terms of stormwater treatment for Pori’s pilot sites, says Reinla.

During 2024, the focus has been on finalizing designs for the project pilot sites. In addition to Pori, the project has pilot sites in Viimsi (EE), Tallinn (EE), Riga (LV) and two in Söderhamn (SWE). Reinla tells that in early 2024 TalTech and RTU finalized preliminary design of the demo sites for Viimsi, Tallinn, Riga and Söderhamn, and following that most of the municipalities started with developing technical design for their demo sites. Pori, Viimsi, and Tallinn finalized their demo site technical designs within 2024, while Söderhamn and Riga are still in the process of finalizing their technical designs.

– Technical designs could be considered as an indicator that one third of the project has been completed: the first part is about the design, the second part about the actual construction, and the third part is about measurement of the efficiency of the nature-based solutions, Reinla explains.

According to Project Manager Siim Reinla, the completion of the construction of Pori’s two pilot sites and the finalization of the technical solutions for the Estonian pilot sites’ NBS are among the most significant project results of the year 2024. Photo: Hanna Kajander
According to Project Manager Siim Reinla, the completion of the construction of Pori’s two pilot sites and the finalization of the technical solutions for the Estonian pilot sites’ NBS are among the most significant project results of the year 2024. Photo: Hanna Kajander

Communication is an important aspect of the project. An international event was held in Pori with the title of “Aspects of Multidimensional Stormwater Solutions”. The event did not only focus on sharing the progress of the project so far, but also to highlight different aspects of multidimensional NBS and matters related to the topic. The seminar was held at the Pori campus of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, and a visit to the stormwater tree pilot site was part of the seminar day program.

A Very Busy Year Ahead

Expectations for 2025 are big. The first steps of the year will include kicking off the construction of the NBS for the Estonian pilot sites. Riga and Söderhamn are to finalize technical designs and start with the construction.

– The year 2025 will be a super busy for the MUSTBE project. All the NBS of the pilot sites should have been constructed, and the project will focus on efficiency measurements as well as disseminating the project results across the Central Baltic area, Reinla concludes.

Cross-border expertise and collaboration to deliver innovative and multidimensional nature-based stormwater solutions – this is what MUSTBE is all about. The photo was taken at the Pori wetland pilot site during a partners’ meeting in October 2024. Photo: Krista Valkonen

Writers and editors: Krista Valkonen, Meri-Maaria Salo and Hanna Kajander