Panel to discuss green urban spaces
The success of initiatives to introduce greenery into city centres and other urban areas will be the subject of a panel discussion in Manchester next month.
Hosted by the Manchester city centre management organisation, CityCo, the discussion will be the latest in the CityConversations series.
It will take place at the People's History Museum, Manchester, on Tuesday 10 December and will be chaired by Steve Connor, chief executive and co-founder of ethical communications agency Creative Concern. He is also the chairman of Manchester's Climate Change Steering Group.
Addressing evidence that suggests that increasing green space in urban environments promotes everything from biodiversity and improved air quality to better mental health, CityCo has gathered leading greening and sustainability experts to showcase a number of projects that could help Manchester to reap these rewards.
The panel will comprise:
- John Darlington, director for the National Trust in the North West, who will will unveil plans for a new Manchester 'gardener in residence' post
- Kate Hofman, chief executive and co-founder of London's GrowUp urban farm, will discuss how they are making urban farming a reality
- Iain Taylor, partnerships director, Peel Holdings and Atlantic Gateway, who will outline Peel's strategy to use landscape, place and sustainability to unlock the potential of the Lower Mersey Basin
- Paul Lincoln, director of policy & communications at The Landscape Institute, who talk about the Highline for London Competition
Vaughan Allen, chief executve of CityCo, said: "CityCo is working to create more green space for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy through our Manchester Garden City scheme, which has introduced pocket parks and grow boxes to encourage sustainable eating.
"This event is an opportunity to hear lots of other urban greening ideas that will spark the imagination."
- The event will take place from 8am to 10am at the People's History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, and is free of charge and open to Manchester's city centre business community. Places are limited and prior booking is essential by emailing events@cityco.com.
