Melbourne Event to Attract World’s Leading Sustainability Designers

“Australia is in a great position to create world-class buildings, urban environments and communities. Green Cities 2010 will establish a common agenda to ensure we capitalise on the huge opportunity facing us and create living environments for future generations to enjoy,” said Property Council of Australia CEO, Peter Verwer.

Green Building Council release (28 January 2010):

World’s leading sustainability and property experts to tackle urban challenges facing Australia at Green Cities 2010

Property and environmental industry leaders from around the world will use the Green Cities 2010 event to tackle the issue of greenhouse gas production from Australian cities, which are estimated to account for 70% of the nation’s greenhouse gas output.

Green Cities is a joint initiative of the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia.

Green Building Council of Australia CEO Romilly Madew said urban greenhouse gas production was one of the greatest challenges facing Australia today.

“Sustainable, productive and healthy cities are crucial to Australia’s future success,” she said.

“With almost 180,000 people added to the urban population in the world each day, we are not alone in trying to deal with this issue. Ensuring the development of sustainable buildings is the cornerstone of the renewed push for sustainable cities.”

Green Cities 2010 will deliver the insight, tools and techniques that all stakeholders in the development process need to create sustainable environments that benefit the nation.

“Australia is in a great position to create world-class buildings, urban environments and communities. Green Cities 2010 will establish a common agenda to ensure we capitalise on the huge opportunity facing us and create living environments for future generations to enjoy,” said Property Council of Australia CEO, Peter Verwer.

Green Cities 2010 is the largest and most influential green building conference in the Asia Pacific region, and will take place in Melbourne from February 21-24.

Now in its fourth year, Green Cities 2010 will feature panel discussions, case studies and debates on how green buildings will deliver greater productivity and occupant health while using less resources and providing higher returns on investment.

Leading international and Australian experts will speak at Green Cities 2010, including:

•           urban designer Malcolm Smith, who will share his experiences in the creation of green precincts such as Stratford City (UK), Northstowe New Town (UK) and Dongtan Ecocity (China)

•           multiple award winning architect and founder of Ingenhoven Architects, Christoph Ingenhoven

•           Director of Sustainable Development for Battery Park City Authority in New York, Susan Kaplan

•           US green building specialist and expert Jerry Yudelson

•           Elsa Monteiro, head of sustainability at Sonae-Sierra (a Grosvenor Group company)

Source: www.greencities.org.au