City of London Green City Briefings

The city of the future is green

AIPH, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, is delighted to announce the City of London Green City Briefings. The City of London Green City Briefings is a series of 8 one-hour webinars that present compelling evidence and examples of the power of ‘living green’ in delivering multiple solutions to city challenges.

Climate change is at the core of ‘Build Back Better’ conversations, and the City of London is committed to making London a greener city while addressing climate change and economic stability. Adaptation to climate change has nature at its core, and the evidence of plants – the ‘living green’ – in creating and accelerating the change that is needed for vibrant city life is compelling. 

These briefings aim to provide the latest evidence for the benefits of plants in creating liveable, resilient cities and present practical examples of how these benefits are realised. The focus of this series is on adapting to climate change.

Session 1: The City of the Future is Green – 13th April

The introductory briefing presents the worldwide adoption of living green in cities as a result of compelling evidence of the benefits for city resilience and citizen health and wellbeing. It responds to a global shift in thinking that addresses climate change adaptation alongside climate change mitigation. Find out more.

Watch the briefing on-demand.

Session 2: Nature-based solutions for water management in cities – 11th May

​Expansion of city infrastructure places pressure on traditional engineered water systems, particularly during extreme weather events that are increasing in frequency. Nature-based-solutions that address issues of flooding and water pollution in cities work contribute aesthetic, biodiversity, leisure and health benefits alongside their functional capacity. This briefing explores how planning that encourages nature-based-solutions to water management co-delivers on creating spaces that are part of the city’s future as a greener city. Find out more.

Watch the briefing on-demand.

Session 3: Green Roofs and Walls – an extra-dimensional approach to city greening – 15th June

Innovative thinking of horizontal and vertical spaces enables retrofitting living green into city infrastructure, delivering solutions to the impacts of climate change, supporting local biodiversity, and improving the visual urban landscape. This briefing reports on implementation and planning of green roof and walls in response to legislation and financial incentives that support greater uptake. Find out more.

Watch the briefing on-demand.

Session 4: The intersection between built infrastructure, wellbeing, and nature – 13th July

​Quantifiable benefits of incorporating plants in office interior and exterior landscapes are revealed in neurological and physiological studies. Economic studies illustrate significant savings through enhanced productivity and creativity, and reduced absenteeism. In this briefing the opportunities, benefits, and processes of creating an effective, highly desirable built urban environment are discussed in the context of cities as a healthy human environment. Find out more.

Watch the briefing on-demand.

Session 5: Urban Heat Island Effect and Urban Forests – 14th September

Planting trees in cities is a high profile activity reported around the globe. Trees certainly have a significant contribution to make in reducing the UHI effect, and reducing the serious health impacts of this phenomenon that has resulted from converging issues of climate change and increased built infrastructure. In this briefing the merits of trees are presented with attention to the importance of design, construction and maintenance in delivering benefits. Find out more.

Session 6: The Critical Dynamics of City Biodiversity and Global Conservation – 20th October

​Cities are gaining recognition as identifiable ecosystems, and play an increasingly important role in global conservation. This briefing considers local action to enhance biodiversity, links with city-wide ecological corridors, and interactions with the wider landscape that direct city planning and growth. Find out more.

Session 7: Air Quality in Cities: the realistic and real benefits of plants – 9th November

Local improvements in air quality delivered by urban greening as climate change adaptation measures run alongside climate change mitigation strategies to reduce air pollution from emissions. This briefing focusses on providing clarity on what can be expected from living green within a multi-faceted approach to managing air pollution in cities. Find out more.

Session 8: London Report on Climate Action – 7th December

Find out more.

AIPH presents: Champions of Green Cities

The AIPH 2021 Green City Conference, taking place on April 22nd, offers a programme to inspire people, organisations, city councils, and government administrations to join the Green City movement and lead global thinking on the successful integration of nature into the built environment.

Register for this free virtual event now

AIPH presents: World Green City Awards

The AIPH World Green City Awards 2022 is open to city authorities wishing to showcase their green achievements.

Find out more about the AIPH World Green City Awards – launched at the AIPH 2021 Green City Conference on 22nd April.