GREENING CITIES CONFERENCE

As climate change and environmental issues continue to dominate the national agenda, the Greening Cities Conference will focus specifically on how green roof and green wall technology can help improve our ecosystem through a variety of ways. These include:

• Improving the quality of stormwater and air
• Reducing the ‘urban heat island effect’
• Reducing carbon emissions
• Improving solar efficiency
• Providing urban agriculture
• Increasing the aesthetic and healing presence of vegetation throughout our cities

The four-day conference will include an exhibition/trade show, training workshops, a tour of green roof and green wall sites in Sydney, national and international speakers and a conference dinner.

High-profile, international keynote speakers confirmed for the conference include:

Patrick Blanc from Paris – Botanist, Author and the inventor of ‘Vertical Gardens’

Dusty Gedge from London – President European Federation of Green Roof Associations and a lead consultant for the Greater City of London ‘Living Roofs Policy’, ‘Guidelines’ and ‘Code for Best Practice’

Raphael Garcia from San Francisco – who has played major roles in building and designing the largest ‘green infrastructure projects’ in the US

According to Matthew Dillon, Executive/Vice President of Greenroofs Australasia, “It’s an opportune time to be exploring the environmental, social and economic benefits of green infrastructure for buildings. Greening Cities fits well with Sustainable Sydney 2030, which outlines the City of Sydney’s goal to become the greenest city in the world. Australia is the most urbanised country in the world, with 85 per cent of our population settled in cities, all being located on the coastline. At present, our oceans are the receptacle for pollutants from our cities.”

Outdoor Design Source will have a presence at the Greening Cities Conference. Be sure to visit us to pick up your FREE copy of the 2011 Outdoor Design Source directory, as well as copies of our consumer magazines, Sustainable Waterwise Gardens and Green Garden and Home.

For more information on the Greening Cities Conference, visit: www.greenroofsaustralasia.com.au