Image above: Stephen Wilkinson (Vice President RTPI) with the presenters of case studies from Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, Belfast (Connswater Greenway) and Plymouth
Building Prosperous Cities - the role of ‘natural capital’ and ‘green infrastructure’
This conference took place at London's City Hall on 27th September 2016. It brought together 130 participants from a wide range of professions and sectors to assess the role of green infrastructure and natural capital in the success of our cities. Through presentations and discussion, we asked:
- Is green infrastructure fit for purpose for now and the future? If not, what city-scale policies and programmes might improve it?
- How do we make a more effective case for restoring the natural capital of our cities?
Conference resources
- See our selection of resources for conference delegates (***updated to include materials referenced on the day***)
- See the on-line article published by The Planner after the event.
- See the conference blogs for perspectives from some the speakers, chairpersons and panelists.
- See the posters presented in the Research and Innovation Showcase.
- A short report on the event will be produced in October 2016.
Programme with links to presentations
Image above: BuroHappold's Head of Economics, Dr. Jim Coleman addresses the conference
Session 1 – Building prosperous cities
09.30 - Chairperson’s remarks - Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of the English Cities Fund and Chair of the Lyons Housing Review
09.40 - Keynote 1: The big picture - the future of cities. Prof. Tim Stonor (Space-syntax and The Bartlett, University College London)
10.05 - Keynote 2: Natural Capital: the economics of green infrastructure. Ian Dickie (a Director at eftec)
10.30 - Panel discussion - professional perspectives.
- Vincent Goodstadt (past President, Royal Town Planning Institute)
- Brian Collins (Professor of Engineering Policy at University College London)
- Amanda Clack (President, RICS)
- Graham Duxbury (Chief Executive of Groundwork UK)
11.15 - Break and refreshments
Session 2 – Case studies
11.45 - Chairperson - Stephen Wilkinson (Vice President, RTPI & Head of Planning and Strategic Partnership, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority)
Case study presentations
- Glasgow and the Clyde Valley, Max Hislop (Programme Manager, Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership)
- Belfast (Connswater Greenway), Wendy Langham (Connswater Community Greenway Programme Manager, EastSide Partnership)
- Plymouth (Kathryn Deeney, Natural Infrastructure Manager, Plymouth City Council)
12.45- Lunch
Research and Innovation Showcase (over lunch). Facilitated by Dr. John Box (Technical Director in Environment and Urban Design at Atkins). Read more.
Session 3 – Key issues
13.50 - Chairperson's opening remarks: Anne Selby (Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside, Chair of the Greater Manchester Natural Capital Group)
13.50 - Remarks from Robert Keeling, Cities & Local Growth Unit (HM Government)
13.55 - Revealing the true value of greenspace in cities: Sheffield’s natural capital account. Jason Eis (Vivid Economics) & Ellie Robinson (National Trust). See also the briefing note associated with this presentation.
14.20 - Making a sound economic case for investment in green infrastructure. Jim Coleman (Chief Economist, Buro Happold)
14.40 - Optimising the co-benefits of urban green infrastructure. Will Evison (an Assistant Director and environmental economist at PwC)
14.50 - Questions
15.00 - Break and refreshments
15.30 - Meaningful green infrastructure. Tom Armour (Global Landscape Architecture Leader, Arup)
15.40 - Measuring the benefits of green infrastructure and natural capital in urban areas. Dr. Alex Collins (Imperial College) & Nick Paling (Westcountry Rivers Trust)
15.50 - Setting the standard for green infrastructure. Dr. Danielle Sinnett (Senior Research Fellow, University of the West of England)
16:00 - Questions
Session 4 – Partnerships for delivery
16.15 - 'City leaders' panel discussion. Chaired by Peter Madden, Future Cities Catapult.Participants:
- Cllr Derek Antrobus (Lead Member for Planning & Sustainable Development, Salford City Council)
- Cllr Lewis Dagnall (Cabinet Advisor for Business, Skills & Development, Sheffield City Council)
- Niall Bolger (Chief Executive of the London Borough of Sutton)
- Mark Bradbury (Head of Capital Assets, Southampton City Council)
- Cllr. Lisa Trickett (Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Birmingham City Council)
- Andrew Jones (Policy & Programmes Manager, Green Infrastructure and Smart Environment, Greater London Authority)
Image above: The 'City Leaders' panel discussion
Lead Sponsor
A range of sponsorship packages are available. Please contact bruce@ecosystemsknowledge.net to discuss.
Supporting partners
