
The 2015 CSGN Forum took place on 2 June at the Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University.
This year's forum had a particular focus on urban greening, emphasising the CSGN’s links to the Scottish Government’s agendas on placemaking, town centres, climate change, and tackling health inequalities.
Representatives from the Scottish Government, public and private sectors contributed first class presentations to an equally diverse audience, sparking discussion and debate about the CSGN initiative. Over 200 delegates attended this year’s event.
The speaker presentations were introduced by Prof Brian Evans, and are available for you to watch online:
Welcome address: Keith Geddes, CSGNT Chair (speech only)
Opening Address: Bridget Campbell, Director for Environment and Forestry, Scottish Government (speech only)
Delivering Green Infrastructure in our Cities and Towns: Tom Armour, Director, Global Landscape Architecture, Arup
Green Cities, Clean Waters: Howard M Neukrug, Chief Executive, Philadelphia Water Utility
The Importance of Place in Addressing Health Inequalities: Sir Harry Burns, Professor of Global Public Health, University of Strathclyde
Planning for Healthy Environments: Julia Thrift, Head of Projects and Events, Town and Country Planning Association
The Parallel sessions and facilitators were:
- Julie Waldron and Andrew Smith, City of Edinburgh Council
- Anna Lawrence, Forestry Commission Scotland
- Kieron Doick, Forest Research
- Max Hislop and Alastair Corbett, GCV Green Network Partnership
- Deryck Irving, greenspace scotland
- Matt Lowther and Etive Currie, NHS Health Scotland
The final session of the day saw presentations from three finalists, all aiming to secure this year’s CSGN Ideas Fund award of £5000.
- Scott Shanks, Buglife
- Deryck Irving, greenspace scotland; Paul McIlvenny, Youth Scotland
- Nicola Atkinson, NADFLY Studio
After a series of questions and an audience vote, The John Muir Pollinator Vision presented by Scott Shanks, Buglife was chosen as the winning project.
We would like to extend our thanks to all attendees and contributors to the day. Your feedback is important to us, we have taken note of your comments from this year to help us inform future events.
Arup were our 2015 CSGN Forum main sponsor. Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services. Through its work, Arup makes a positive difference in the world. Arup has been providing the thought leadership on delivering green infrastructure in urban areas through their Cities Alive research.
Main sponsor:
Supported by: