The next 4 days were spent attending the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Conference. This included completing 2 design courses. 101 - An introduction to Green Roof Design and 201 -covering the design and installation of Green Roofs.
A great social event hosted by the City of Minneapolis to welcome the conference delegates was held on the green roof of the local Brits Pub. A bowling green and outdoor eating area was built over a garage to provide extra space and make the most of expensive city real estate.
Minneapolis - Green Roof for Healthy Cities Conference
Design 201 Design and Implementation. An 8 hr course written and presented by Green Roofs for Healthy Citys covering the design and implementation elements of intensive and extensive green roofs. A very worth while and interesting course that Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities hopes to re write for Australian conditions and offer as an introductory course for a new and exciting industry with enormous potential for a large number of industries from engineering and architecture to the water proofing and nursery industries.
WGRIN - World Green Roof Infrastructure Network meeting
As the Australian delegate I attended the WGRIN meeting. This was very worth while as well as an excellent opportunity to meet other international members and extend the green roof international network. There were delegates representing Japan, NZ, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Canada, Mexico. In total 16 countries are affiliated.
The conference program was excellent and as always it was very difficult to decide which sessions to attend. Topic subjects ranged from stromwater control and management to how green roof s have been shown to reduce stress and increase productivity as well as a number of very interesting design based case studies.
A trade hall ran for the 2 days with a huge number of different manufacturing and systems suppliers/designers. The market in North America is well established and supported with a large number of different systems available. This was very interesting from the view point that at this stage, there are very few specific green roof systems available in Australia and it provided an insight into just how specific the installation can be and the industry opportunities available in Australia.
Design Course 101 – Introduction to Green Roof Design and Implementation
An 8 hour day written and presented by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. A great introductory course providing a very good understanding for anyone who is interested in installing a green roof. From home owners to architects, landscape architects and people from the trades. Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities has proposed to offer an Australian adaptation of this course.
If Australia is to catch up with the progress in Green Roof technology and installation and begin to reap the huge environmental and social benefits we need to ensure there is an education program and an expected standard for the design and construction.
We have a lot to learn form our international green roof friends and are in a very positive position that will see us leap frog forward in terms of being able to learn from their mistakes. We may be 10 – 15 years behind in the industry but I believe that if the Government realizes and supports the industry and the implementation of green roofs that Australia will very quickly catch up as wells as being world leaders in specific areas such as water management and food production.
Australia needs to see research and development projects being implemented, creating conditions and specifications that will be specific to Australian weather patterns and vegetation species.
WGRIN - World Green Roof Infrastructure Network meeting
As the Australian delegate I attended the WGRIN meeting. This was very worth while as well as an excellent opportunity to meet other international members and extend the green roof international network. There were delegates representing Japan, NZ, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Canada, Mexico. In total 16 countries are affiliated.
The conference program was excellent and as always it was very difficult to decide which sessions to attend. Topic subjects ranged from stromwater control and management to how green roof s have been shown to reduce stress and increase productivity as well as a number of very interesting design based case studies.
A trade hall ran for the 2 days with a huge number of different manufacturing and systems suppliers/designers. The market in North America is well established and supported with a large number of different systems available. This was very interesting from the view point that at this stage, there are very few specific green roof systems available in Australia and it provided an insight into just how specific the installation can be and the industry opportunities available in Australia.
Design Course 101 – Introduction to Green Roof Design and Implementation
An 8 hour day written and presented by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. A great introductory course providing a very good understanding for anyone who is interested in installing a green roof. From home owners to architects, landscape architects and people from the trades. Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities has proposed to offer an Australian adaptation of this course.
If Australia is to catch up with the progress in Green Roof technology and installation and begin to reap the huge environmental and social benefits we need to ensure there is an education program and an expected standard for the design and construction.
We have a lot to learn form our international green roof friends and are in a very positive position that will see us leap frog forward in terms of being able to learn from their mistakes. We may be 10 – 15 years behind in the industry but I believe that if the Government realizes and supports the industry and the implementation of green roofs that Australia will very quickly catch up as wells as being world leaders in specific areas such as water management and food production.
Australia needs to see research and development projects being implemented, creating conditions and specifications that will be specific to Australian weather patterns and vegetation species.
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