The Benefits of 'Greening' our
Urban Environments
The afternoon session commences with a series of talks on the benefits of deploying green infrastructure and nature based solutions across urban environments. It will explore the perspective from both the public and private sectors, looking at how sustainable drainage systems and other green infrastructure measures can play a huge role in reducing localised flood risk. The session will also look at how greening a city or town can deliver direct financial benefits and indirect/overt benefits e.g. improving air quality and human health.
OUR SPEAKERS
NICK GARDNER
Project Dirt is an online social network that offers 'constructive green networking' opportunities by encouraging indi- viduals and their green projects to collaborate and share their experiences. Nick Gardner, co founder and CEO of Project Dirt makes the perfect host for the Urban Greening session.
HOST:
PROJECT DIRT
CEO
DR ALEX COLLINS
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Dr Alex Collins is currently undertaking a Policy Fellowship at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), part funded by the Natural Environment Research Council. She is developing evidence review methodologies and guidance for Defra and its associate agencies. She also works with Defra's Joint Water Evidence Group to assist with the completion of reviews of evidence inform policy and practice decision making in the areas of water and land management.
SPEAKER:
GEORGE WARREN
GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY
PROJECT MANAGER
George Warren is the Project Manager of the London Sustainable Drainage Action Plan at Greater London Authority. George is one of the leading public authority figures with regards to sustainable drainage, chairing the London Drainage Engineers Group and having previous experience of working as Flood Risk & Drainage Manager at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
SPEAKER:
PROFESSOR
IAN COLBECK
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
PROFESSOR OF ENV. SCIENCE
Ian Colbeck is Professor of Environmental Science in the School of Biological Sciences. He has amassed over 30 years of considerable achievements and experience over a wide gamut of research interests but predominantly in the field of aerosol science and air pollution. He has published over 150 research papers and a number of books. He has participated in a number of EU projects as well as provided scientific advice to national and local government, defence laboratories, and industry. Current research includes the development of methods to detect bioaerosols and the impact of nanoparticles on plants.
SPEAKER:
DR DORTE RICH
JORGENSEN
SPEAKER:
PRINCIPAL SUSTAINABILITY ENGINEER
ATKINS
Dr Jørgensen provides sustainability leadership within Atkins and the British construction industry, and has 28 years' experience of successfully embedding sustainability into the built environment on a range of cutting edge and award-winning project such as London 2012 and Chiswick Park. Dr Jørgensen is a visionary leader acting at a national level, engaging on several industry bodies, on a leading think tank and as Visiting Professor in academia influencing government policy, industry codes, education curriculum and diversity.
Zorica is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Environmentalist and brings over 25 years of best practice and lessons learned from numerous surface water management projects delivered in the UK and abroad to various public and private sector clients. Zorica has in depth knowledge of legislation and funding mechanisms related to implementation of sustainable drainage systems and role of different stakeholders. Zorica is a member of Steering Groups of CIRIA research projects related to SuDS since 1997 including latest updating of SUDS Manual and SuDS Manual for Construction. She is a member of the CIRIA SUSDrain Steering Group and a member of IWA Diffuse Pollution Committee.
DR ZORICA
TODOVIC
SPEAKER:
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
ATKINS