home > press > 17 September 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The World Green Roof Congress opened today in London with keynote speeches from Richard Blakeway, adviser to the Mayor of London on environment issues and the renowned architect Ken Yeang.
Richard Blakeway, adviser to the Mayor of London said: "The Mayor is delighted that the World Green Roof Congress has chosen London as the location for this year's event. Living Roofs can help create a higher quality environment for Londoners, both inside and outside our homes and deliver a number of benefits including new outdoor spaces and enhancing biodiversity.
"The GLA is focused on the development of green roofs in the capital and this is evident through the Mayor's draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy which recognises the important role of green roofs in helping the city adapt to climate change. The GLA is also working with Design for London to promote living roofs as part of London’s urban renaissance to help the capital become more liveable for its residents. It is hoped that this respected Congress will drive the uptake and implementation of green roofs in the capital enabling them to become an integral part of London’s architectural design and heritage."
Welcoming an increasing appetite for green roofs in London, Co-founder of Livingroofs.org Dusty Gedge said: "Livingroofs.org Ltd’s 2004 audit told us that London had 76,682 m2 of green roofs - equivalent to approximately 10 football pitches - with a further 16,000m2 planned.
"An updated audit suggests that between 2005 and 2008 over 163,234 m2 or 1,757,036 ft2 (23 football pitches) have been installed and that there is over 324,443 m2 or 3,492,270 ft2 planned - equivalent to 46 football pitches. These figures are certainly an under-estimation as data has yet be collected from all London boroughs and green roof companies."
Looking to the future, Dusty concluded: "With new policies and initiatives evolving, greening the roofs of London is likely to become an important element of how London adapts to climate change, making London a healthier and greener city for all."
Organised by CIRIA and Livingroofs.org, the two-day Congress has attracted approximately 300 speakers and delegates from around the world, representing 23 countries.
Further information about the Congress is available from www.worldgreenroofcongress.com. Guidance and information about green roofs is available from livingroofs.org and www.ciria.org/buildinggreener.
ENDS
For further press information, contact James Milne, CIRIA, Classic House, 174-180 Old Street, London EC1V 9BP. Tel 020 7549 3342; Email press@ciria.org
Conference Sponsors
Dow Hyperlast; Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd; Bauder Ltd; Flag UK Ltd; English Partnerships; Environment Agency; Icopal; ABG Ltd; Knight Asphalte; Sarnafil; Liquid Plastics; Environmental Sustainable Solutions; Building for Nature; Hertalan UK Ltd; Ecobuild
Conference supporters
Greater London Authority; EFB; IGRA; CIWEM; GRHC; Allen & Overy LLP
Conference partners
CIRIA is a member-owned organisation that works with the construction industry,
government and academia to provide performance improvement products and services
in the construction and related industries.
It was founded in 1960 and currently engages with around 500 subscribing organisations.
Activities include collaborative projects, networking, publishing, workshops,
seminars and conferences. About 40 projects are run at any one time, about
100 events are staged every year, and 20 books published per annum.
Livingroofs.org is a non-profit organisation established to promote, advise
upon and seek research into green roofs and similar structures within the
context of urban and rural regeneration. It does not provide green roofs products
but can provide the following services:
• Professional independent advice on green roofs through its contacts
with consultants and the green roof industry.
• Independent consultants for specific projects/themes.
• Strategic reports on how green roofs can play a real role in terms
of sustainability in urban regeneration areas, local and regional authority
plans etc.
• An online resource for researchers, planners, developers, regeneration
professionals, ecologists, engineers and others;
• An online resource of current and past research documentation on green
roofs;
• A portfolio of successful green roof projects, with information on
their cost and construction;
• Signposts to key green roof system manufacturers, products and green
roof resources;
• Provide tours of green roofs in London [in particular the Canary Wharf
area] for interested parties.
• Speakers at conferences and events regarding green roofs and similar
features in terms of urban regeneration and sustainability.