“Getting and keeping top talent will soon be the number one reason for going green.” Jerry Yudelson, green building author If there was one message to be taken from Green Cities 2010, held in Melbourne in February 2010, it was ‘act now’. The conference, which explored the importance of green building to ‘people, place, performance’, confirmed how far our industry has travelled in such a short time. Since Green Cities 2009, the conversation has shifted beyond individual buildings to how we should shape our precincts, our communities and our cities. Opening the conference, former Victorian Premier John Brumby reminded the audience that we live in “a climate of opportunity”. While the task has never been greater, it was clear from the energy, ideas and commitment of those attending Green Cities 2010 that we can leave behind a built environment that is as good – or better – than what went before. From 27 February to 2 March 2011 Australia’s – and the region’s – green building industry will gather at the world’s greenest convention centre in Melbourne for Green Cities 2011: Partnering for Solutions.
Melbourne Convention Centre 21 – 24 February 2010
The conference will set its sights beyond buildings, with a focus on greening our precincts and communities. Attendees will be encouraged to commit to the realities and possibilities of green building, challenge themselves to exceed business-as-usual expectations and create solutions, partnerships and prospects. One of the expected highlights will be Jeb Brugmann, author of the book, Welcome to the Urban Revolution: How Cities Are Changing the World, who will focus on issues around urbanisation and densification of our cities and the economic drivers and financial models associated with building places, rather than building products. Jeb Brugmann's ‘new urbanisms’ have affected countless major cities and governments worldwide, based on his unique economic analytics and business modelling which accept the reality that cities will grow in success from “creatively adapting urban design, infra-
“Triage asks us to tackle the most serious issues first and then
structure, building methods, policy and governance to create places
work our way to the less significant. Triaging buildings means to look
of unique value and advantage.”
at the impact of the materials and the energy consumed during con-
Michael Green, Principal of Canadian architecture firm McFar-
struction and during the life of the building first.
lane Green Biggar Architecture will also speak at the conference.
“Often today’s ‘green architecture’ is a practice of covering up the
Green’s current work ranges from small houses to animal shelters,
small scratches and ignoring the massive wound. I believe the issue
from restaurants and cafes to skyscrapers, from fashion boutiques to
of the materials with which we build is one we can address easily to
international airports and from civic buildings and galleries to urban
make an enormous difference that will lead us to carbon neutral and,
revitalisation and parks and public art.
in time, carbon negative buildings.”
“I believe architects have a duty to address the problems of our
Now entering its fifth year, Green Cities continues to evolve as a
profession as it relates to climate change, much in the same way as
platform for world leaders, local experts and government visionaries.
doctors address an accident scene – through triage,” Green says.
Together, we’re shaping the future of our cities.
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