The University of Greenwich Green Roofs and Living Walls Centre is hosting a three-day conference on the economic, environmental and social benefits provided by living walls.

The conference will bring together researchers, built environment professionals and policy makers in order to discuss ways of maximising the ecosystem services of living walls. Topics will include the enhanced thermal performance of buildings, reduction of the Urban Heat Island Effect, habitat creation, mitigation of air and noise pollution, stormwater attenuation, novel opportunities for urban food production, and well-being.

The conference is intended for living wall manufacturers and installers, urban designers, architects, landscape architects, garden designers, environmental agencies, developers, planning authorities, community action groups, nurserymen, and students.

5 reasons why you should attend the conference

1. An inspiring programme – The programme of keynote lectures, oral presentations and posters presenting the latest research on living walls and ecosystem services will be complemented by an exhibition of living wall systems. We have assembled a truly international line-up, with participants from the United States, Asia and Europe.

2. Practice-oriented workshops – Researchers, living wall designers, manufacturers and installers will share their knowledge and answer questions. Do you want to know the most suitable system for a particular location, or the best plants to use in order to maximise a particular ecosystem service? Our experts will be able to help you.

3. Living wall tours – Two walking tours of living walls in central London are included in the price of the conference ticket. You will visit examples of the different types of systems, guided by living wall designers and manufacturers.

4. Unique networking opportunities – The event will feature the leading researchers and manufacturers of living wall systems from the UK and abroad. The conference programme allows plenty of scope to talk to the people you need to meet, starting with the wine reception which is included in the price of the conference ticket.

5. A fantastic location – The conference venue is a brand new £80 million building which lies within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage site. Occupying the roofs of the new building are fourteen interlinked teaching gardens which cover an area of about twelve tennis courts, probably Europe’s largest teaching and learning green roof. Maritime Greenwich symbolizes English artistic and scientific endeavour in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Queen’s House (designed by Inigo Jones) was the first Palladian building in England, while the Royal Naval College complex that now houses the main campus of the University of Greenwich was designed by Christopher Wren. The park, laid out on the basis of an original design by André Le Nôtre, contains the Old Royal Observatory, the work of Wren and the scientist Robert Hooke.

Download the conference flyer: 2015 conference flyer

Conference organising committee

Benz Kotzen, Sarah Milliken & Shelley Mosco , Department of Architecture and Landscape, University of Greenwich