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
  
  Edinburgh Design Guide - Delivering Green Infrastructure and Green Networks
• Anna Lawrence, Forestry Commission Scotland
  
  Urban trees and the challenge for local authorities: balancing risk and initiative
• Kieron Doick, Forest Research
  
  Valuing the Urban Forest with i-Tree Eco; its use and future in the UK
• Max Hislop and Alastair Corbett, GCV Green Network Partnership
  
  GI in new development: What we want versus What we get
• Deryck Irving, greenspace scotland
  
  Climate Change Parks - Can managing parks with a climate change focus deliver other benefits
• Matt Lowther and Etive Currie, NHS Health Scotland
  
  The Place Standard

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
  
  The John Muir Pollinator Vision
• Deryck Irving, greenspace scotland; Paul McIlvenny, Youth Scotland
  
  Young Place Changers Catalyst Fund
• Nicola Atkinson, NADFLY Studio
  
  Urban Oats

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: