G

reen Roofs for Healthy Cities, the North American green roof industry association and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (academic co-host) are pleased to announce that they will be hosting the 2010 Green Roof and Green Wall Conference – CitiesAlive! in Vancouver. Now in its eighth year, the November 30 – December 3 Conference marks the first time this international conference will be held outside of the United States. It is expected to bring over 1000 delegates to Vancouver from around the world to discuss the latest research, policy and technical advances in the rapidly growing green roof and green wall industries.

CitiesAlive! will raise awareness of the many benefits of green roofs and green walls, share new research findings, provide information on the latest designs, implementation techniques and products, and broaden networks. The Call for Papers process is now underway, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is actively soliciting paper abstracts for presentation at the Conference. Of particular interested are presentations that emphasize the themes of integration and climate change, especially:

• integrated and cross disciplinary design practices;
• integrative research that links multiple benefits with completed data;
• completed projects that deliver multiple benefits; and,
• integrative policies, standards and economic evaluation tools which capture a more accurate picture of the benefits of green roofs and walls.
• We are also looking for projects that reflect the unique climate based challenges of the Pacific coast, challenges such as intense and prolonged periods of rainfall, followed by shorter periods of intense heat and drought.

Abstract submissions are due by March 15th, 2010 and full submission guidelines are available on the website at www.greenroofs.org or visit the BCIT website at www.greenroof.bcit.ca.

Background:
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (www.greenroofs.org) is a non-profit industry association with a mission to increase awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs and green walls and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence. GRHC’s 8th Annual CitiesAlive! will be held in Vancouver and feature projects, research and policy from the Cascadia Region. See local host committee members below.

BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment (SOCE) (www.greenroof.bcit.ca) is the best place to learn about the natural and built environment and matters of utmost concern to humankind. We have a diverse range of courses, programs, and credentials. BCIT’s Centre of Architectural Ecology began its mission in 2002 when a stakeholder workshop identified barriers to the emerging green roof industry in BC, and agreed upon the importance of research and partnerships. A dedicated Green Roof Research Facility was devised with collaborative support from industry, government and academic partners. The Centre conducts ground-breaking research.

CitiesAlive! Conference: Local Host Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs
Chair - John English, Dean of BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment;
Regional Outreach Committee – Chair: Helen Goodland, Executive Director, Light House Sustainable Building Centre, Vice-Chair: Jessica Woolliams, Co-Director, Cascadia Green
Building Council Public Relations and Media Committee, Vice-Chair: Marita Luk , Business Development Manager, BCIT SOCE
Tours Committee – Chair: Andrea Martinello, Marketing Manager, N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd. , Vice-Chair: Blair Bennett, Soprema
Legacy Project Committee – Chair: Peter Levar , MAIBC, Peter Anthony Levar Architect (AIBC Council) Program Head of BCIT Architectural Science Degree , Vice-Chair: Dr. Katherine Dunster, BRE, MLArch, PhD, MBCSLA, RPBio Pres. BCSLA
Sponsorship and Fundraising Committee - Chair: Bill Sinclair, Regional Director, Evergreen
Volunteers Committee - Chair: David Tikkanen, Program Head Tourism Marketing, BCIT, SoB
Special Advisors: Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, OC, LLD (HON), FCSLA, BCSLA, FASLA; Maureen Connelly, B.SC.,B.E.D.S., M.Arch., MAIBC; Randy Sharp, Sharp and Diamond Landscape Architecture, Inc.

Media Contacts:

Steven Peck | President | Green Roofs for Healthy Cities | T 416.971.4494 ext. 233 | F 905.372.9866 | E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | W greenroofs.org
Marita Luk | Business Development Manager | BCIT School of Construction and the Environment | T 604.451.7188 | F 604.435.4219 | E This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | W bcit.ca/construction

-30-

Download Full Press Release (.pdf, ~132 Kb)