Detailed Agenda for Grey to Green Conference Released

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the Green Infrastructure Foundation released the detailed agenda for the 4th Annual Grey To Green Conference: Addressing Climate Change with Green Infrastructure, June 1 to 4, 2016 at Ryerson University, Toronto.

“This year, Grey to Green is focused on the multiple ways that living green infrastructure technologies such as green roofs, walls, urban forests and other low-impact development methods can help us mitigate and adapt to climate change”, said Sara Loveland, chair, Green Infrastructure Foundation.

The event will attract an estimated 500 designers, planners, manufacturers, researchers, policy makers and a variety of green infrastructure professionals. Over 50 technical presentations will cover subjects ranging from best practices in life-cycle cost and benefit analysis, and integrated design practices on stormwater management and flood protection, to the latest research on how green infrastructure can help to cool cities, reduce the urban heat island and emissions. Presentations include case studies drawn from across North America on new policy developments, projects and emerging technologies. Professional training, a trade show, and tours of local projects and research facilities are featured.

“Green infrastructure employs more than 150,000 people in Ontario alone. It’s a proven way to reduce the costs of climate change and allows us to make strategic investments that generate prosperity, new employment opportunities and improve the health and livability of our cities and regions”, said Steven W. Peck, founder of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “Green infrastructure is an important and underutilized approach to preparing our cities and regions for the many challenges we face due to climate change and unfortunately, in many areas we are losing ground,” he added.

During Grey to Green, the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition will be holding discussions on the public policy needed to significantly increase the development and maintenance of green infrastructure. “Our urban forest is essential infrastructure—it provides millions of dollars in ecological services each year and must play a more central role in any urban climate change resiliency strategy. Yet we fail to protect and maintain it effectively", said Janet McKay, chair, Green Infrastructure Ontario (GIO) Coalition. The coalition will present their report on the state of the urban forest in the GTA.

The Grey to Green Conference is organized by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the Green Infrastructure Foundation. Our partners/sponsors include: Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University; Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition; Renew Magazine; Water Canada; City of Toronto; Carrot Green Roof; LiveRoof; The Toronto and Region Conservation for the Living City; Conservation Ontario; Landscape Ontario; greenroofs.com; Ontario Assn. of Landscape Architects.

Early bird rate ends April 7, 2016. For more information or to register, visit greytogreenconference.org.

Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities