Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Events listed on SustainableCitiesNet.com refer to urban sustainability. Event topics often refer to themes such as water, food, energy, and urban design and built form. SustainableCitiesNet.com strongly encourages environmental organisations and institutions to post their own events. To do so visit the “How to use this site†page and follow the prompts.
Peter Harper: ‘Zero Carbon Britain 2030? in Sydney
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 30th, 2011
Zero Carbon by 2030 – Britain’s dream or reality?
Technology says we can. Science says we must. Is it time to say we will?
SPEAKER: Peter Harper, Centre for Alternative Technology (UK), Coordinator Zero Carbon Britain
Two public lectures by UK scientist Peter Harper, from the Centre of Alternative Technology (CAT), in Wales on ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 – a plan offering a positive realistic, policy framework to eliminate emissions from fossil fuels within 20 years. Zero Carbon Britain(ZCB) brought together leading UK’s thinkers, including policy makers, scientists, academics, industry and NGOs to provide political, economic and technological solutions to the urgent challenges raised by climate science.
Governments and businesses seem paralysed and unable to plan for a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy. ZCB shows what can be done by harnessing the voluntary contribution from experts working outside their institutions. The ZCB report,released in June 2010, provides a fully integrated vision of how Britain can respond to the challenges of climate change, resource depletion and global inequity, with the potential for a low-carbon future to enrich society as a whole.
During lectures in Melbourne and Sydney, Peter will explore how we can ‘Power Down’ demand in the built environment, transport, land use and institute behavioural change, then ‘Power Up’ the energy system with renewables. He’ll outline the key thinking behind the report, including why a low carbon economy is an investment in the future, and look at the ways sustainable community based and multi-lateral initiatives will concurrently inform a global energy infrastructure.
Sydney, Tuesday 19 April, 6.30-8pm, Vestibule, Sydney Town Hall
Please register your attendance by Friday 15 April to amrit.gill@britishcouncil.org.au
Presented by the British Council, VEIL (Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab), Banksia Environmental Foundation, Key Message and the City of Sydney.
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Peter Harper: ‘Zero Carbon Britain 2030′ in Melbourne & Sydney
Posted in Events, Research by Kate Archdeacon on March 18th, 2011
Peter Harper is the Research Director of the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales UK and one of the three coordinators of the Zero Carbon Britain (ZCB) 2030 project.
ZCB 2030 is a positive, realistic vision for an energy progressive society free from fossil fuels. At a time when governments appear to be paralysed and unable to act, ZCB 2030 has demonstrated that alternative plans for the future can be developed through the cooperation and good will of volunteer researchers and experts. ZCB 2030 completed its three years of work in mid 2010, presenting the plan to the UK parliament. It provides political, economic and technological solutions to the urgent challenges raised by climate science.
“The great transition to a zero-carbon Britain is not only the most pressing challenge of our time, it is also entirely possible. The solutions needed to create a low-carbon and high-wellbeing future for all exist, what has been missing to date, is the political will to implement them.” Dr Victoria Johnson, New Economics Foundation
Peter will deliver lectures about the project in Melbourne on April 13 and in Sydney on April 19. These lectures will be surrounded by other smaller events to examine the ZCB plan and to compare its approach and conclusions to that for Australia being developed by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) in the Zero Carbon Australia project.
In Melbourne: BMW Edge 13th April
In Sydney: Sydney Town Hall 19th April
More details will be announced here as they become available.
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Sustainable Intelligent Manufacturing: Conference
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 4th, 2011
The International Conference on Sustainable Intelligent Manufacturing (SIM 2011) will be held at Leiria by the Center for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal, from June 29 to July 1, 2011. The Conference aims to provide a major international forum for academics, researchers and industrial partners to exchange ideas in the field of sustainable intelligent manufacturing and related topics. The conference expects to foster networking and collaboration among participants to advance the knowledge and to identify major trends in the field.
The rise of manufacturing intelligence is fuelling innovation in processes and products considering a low environmental impact over the product’s life cycle. Sustainable intelligent manufacturing is regarded as a manufacturing paradigm for the 21st century, towards the next generation of manufacturing and processing technologies. The manufacturing industry is at a turning point of its evolution and new business opportunities are emerging.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Computer-aided green manufacturing
- Eco-design and eco-innovation
- Inclusive design
- e-Manufacturing
- Green manufacturing
- Sustainable construction for the built environment
- Green supply chain management
- Green transportation
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable power engineering and renewable energy technologies
- Reuse, remanufacturing, disassembly and recycling techniques
- Sustainable packaging solutions
- Smart manufacturing
- Reverse logistics and product recovery
- Smart and sustainable materials
- Life-cycle engineering and assessment
- Energy efficiency in manufacturing
- Smart design for sustainability
- Sustainable technology innovation
- Sustainable factory planning and scheduling
- Sustainable business models
- Zero-waste production
Visit the conference website for more details.
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Dig Bristol Get Growing Campaign
Posted in Events, Movements by Rob Eales on February 16th, 2011
A new urban food growing campaign is being promoted on our companion site, Sustainable Bristol. 
Images via Bristol Local Food organisers of the Dig Bristol Get Growing Campaign
The Dig Bristol ‘Get Growing’ Map promotes alternatives to traditional garden or allotment growing, as part of the city-regions’ campaign to get more people involved in urban veg production.
Do you want to get mucky in a Community Garden? Or learn to look after chickens at a City Farm? Ever wanted to pluck your own apple from a Shared Orchard? The Bristol ’Get Growing’ Map has put all this information in one easy to use online map, making it simple for people to find peaceful city sanctuaries and social garden spaces on their cities’ doorstep.The Dig Bristol urban growing campaign is run by Bristol Food Network, an umbrella group, made up of individuals, community projects, organisations and businesses who share a vision to transform the Bristol city-region into a sustainable food city.
Subtropical Urbanism: Beyond Climate Change
Posted in Events by architexter on January 21st, 2011
What makes a city ‘subtropical’? Obviously climate and latitude. But consider how design can shape our cities and our lives. Many subtropical cities face pressures of increased urbanization, climate disruptions, and risk of inundation. In an age where the form and character of our cities is largely shaped by global influences, how can subtropicality shape localized decisions about the future of cities in Florida, NE Australia, SE Africa and southern Brazil? Can climate responsive and ‘bio-climatic’ design point the way toward a carbon-free future in the subtropics?
These are some of the issues and questions that we will consider at the next Subtropical Cities conference in Fort Lauderdale, March 8-11. Visit the website for details http://www.subtropicalcities2011.com/
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2011 Brisbane Ideas Competition
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on December 7th, 2010
Source: Contour Newsletter
“What is missing from Brisbane?”
“What does Brisbane need for the future?”
By proposing these intentionally broad and ambiguous questions we hope to encourage debate and discussion across a wide fields about the future of our city. As a practice of ethical professionals who understand and appreciate our responsibility to the future generations who occupy our city, we hope the inaugural Brisbane Ideas competition will facilitate debate, discussion and discovery.
It is the hope that the broad entry requirements will solicit entries across a wide range of disciplines, from Architecture, Art, Science, Urban Design, Engineering among others. While we expect a wide range of entries, please ensure they are all graphically represented and meet the submission requirements. We would encourage entries from the large urban scale through to the bespoke artefact.
The final outcome of the competition will be a series of exhibitions throughout the city, opening with a one month exhibition of the grand prize winner and the honourable mentions. Held in a public venue in the heart of the central business district, adjacent to the government precinct of the city. It is through this wide and continued exposure that the the competition will encourage discussion and debate about the proposals and the future of our city. Finally this is expected to be a fun competition.
Deadlines:
Registration – 3 January 2011
Stage 1 Submissions – 10 January 2011
Visit the competition website for more information, including prizes and how to enter. (http://competition.heise.com.au/)
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Mexico City Pact: Cities Addressing Climate Change
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 23rd, 2010
Sustainable Cities Net: Posting from the UCLG Congress in Mexico City 18-25 November
Article via ICLEI:
Mayors from around the world have signed an agreement to address climate change at the World Mayors Summit on Climate, hosted by the Government of Mexico City and Marcelo Ebrard, mayor of Mexico City and chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change. During the summit, representatives from 135 global cities signed the Mexico City Pact, which establishes a monitoring and verification mechanism for cities to address climate change. The Mexico City Pact will be presented to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) when it meets later this month in Cancun, Mexico.
“With more than half the world’s population today living in cities for the first time in human history, mayors and urban leaders are on the frontline of the planet’s fight against a changing climate. Today, the cities meeting here are taking action to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions through their commitment to the Mexico City Pact,” said Marcelo Ebrard.
In partnership with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC), the Government of Mexico City organized the summit to provide a forum for the signing of an agreement that commits cities to action and urges national governments to advance a binding global treaty.
“Cities have great capacities to address climate change, even in the absence of a binding global treaty among nations, which is why we are here today. We are demonstrating the leadership of mayors and cities around the world to take action,” said Martha Delgado, Mexico City’s secretary of the environment and ICLEI vice president.
The Mexico City Pact calls for cities to develop and implement climate action plans that promote local laws and initiatives to reduce GHG reductions. To establish and follow up on cities’ commitments, the signers will establish their climate actions in the Carbon Cities Climate Registry (CCCR) at the Bonn Centre for Local Climate Action and Reporting (carbonn).
Visit the website for more information about the pact and the summit, or download the pact (also available in Spanish & French).
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10 Actions by Mexico City to Address Climate Change
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 22nd, 2010
Sustainable Cities Net: Posting from the UCLG Congress in Mexico City 18-25 November
The City of Mexico launched their publication “10 Actions to Address Climate Change” here at the Dome on Friday night, with the assistance of a range of guest speakers including Pedro Miranda, Head of Siemens One. Siemens have sponsored the publication, which outlines programs the City has implemented over the past 4 years to reduce GHG emissions. These actions include:
- Transport Corridors / Zero Emissions Transport Corridor
- ECOBICI Individual Transport System
- Minibus and Taxis Replacement Program
- Metro Line 12
- Sustainable Housing Program
- Solar Energy Use Regulations
- Mexico City Goverment Enviromental Management System
- Green Roofs Program
- Recovery of the Rivers Magdalena and Eslava
- Restoration of Ecosystems and Compensation for Maintaining Environmental Services
Download the publication in Spanish and English. We had the opportunity to ask Pedro Miranda some questions after the presentation, and the videos will be hosted at http://www.youtube.com/siemens
Based on our time here over the past week, the ECOBICI appears to be well-established, and there’s a Ciclovia here in the city on Sundays – people were being “fitted” for bicycles as we travelled to the World Mayors Climate Summit early this morning.
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Sustainable Cities Net: posting from Mexico City
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 18th, 2010
Centro Historico, photo: K Archdeacon
On behalf of Sustainable Cities Net, I (Kate) am attending and blogging on the United Cities and Local Governments Congress and the World Mayors’ Summit, held this week in Mexico City. The content will appear here and also on a site created by Siemens, who provided a similar service at COP 15 and will do so at COP 16 next month. Over three thousand delegates from around the world will attend the presentations from city mayors on the pressures and responses they meet in their own city. The opportunity to expand the discussion and learn about pressures, models, scales, successes and failures in other cities is unique, and the material from Sustainable Cities Net and Sustainable Melbourne will make its way into my perspective and reports. Bloggers from other countries will be there too, so keep an eye on all the sites for a diversity of opinion!
About the Congress & Summit:
The UCLG Congress – The Local and Regional Leaders World Summit – is organised every 3 years and it brings together over 3000 local and regional elected representatives and practitioners from around the world.
Since its creation in Paris in 2004, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) has worked to make the voice of mayors and local and regional officials heard, in order to guarantee that cities and regions take their rightful place in the international community. The cities and regions, including their inhabitants, that we work for, are being faced with stark challenges from global phenomena and events that demand individual and collective action from local authorities, such as: climate change, shared sustainable development, financial crises, dialogue between cultures.
The Local and Regional Leaders World Summit, November 18 – 21 in Mexico City, which will bring together mayors, presidents of regions, local elected officials and their partners, will be an unprecedented occasion for exchange and debate on the role of local governments in development and in the efforts for greater between citizens and also between cities and regions.
The World Mayors Summit on Climate (WMSC) will be held on November 21, 2010 in Mexico City, so that mayors from different regions of the world can sign a voluntary Pact (the Global Cities Covenant on Climate “the Mexico City Pact”) that sends a clear message to the international community on the strategic importance of cities in the struggle against climate change.
http://www.uclgcongress.com/
(UCLG English programme, Spanish programme, French programme,)
http://www.wmsc2010.org/
(Programmes on the site)
To follow the posts from the Summit follow or bookmark this link, http://www.sustainablecitiesnet.com/tag/mexico-city/.
We will be posting regular Sustainable Cities content as well, so keep adding your articles and photos!
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Food! Slow Food! – A visit to the Salone de Gusto biennial
Posted in Events, Models, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 12th, 2010
 Salone is a rare coming together, an opportunity for the stewards of the world's food biodiversity, to share and market their wares. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack) | The endless aisles of Slow Food‘s biennial Salone del Gusto, held at the massive Lingotto Fiere building in Turin, are laid out like a map of the world, albeit skewed a bit towards the land of Caesar. Imagine your favorite farmers market and then multiple that by 100. It’s hard to know where to start and it’s even harder to know where to end. Cheese maker next to apricot grower next to caper forager next to oyster farmer. After a few days, directed grazing becomes sort of like a game of memory. Was that table offering up incredibly sweet almonds in the Spain section or somewhere in Africa? And did you see those ingenious butcher-case containers, developed by cattlemen from Italy, with a shoulder of rare breed cow along with a leek, carrot, celery and peeled garlic all ready for a busy family to become a stew or roast? And wasn’t it great that the Mexico section included mezcal distillers and cocoa growers, offering up both sips and chocolate nibs, a very fortunate pairing of food biodiversity? American craft brewers like Dogfish Head and Rogue were pouring samples a short walk from small-batch beers from the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as an impressive display of micro-brews and micro-spirits from every corner of Italy–apparently the new wave of brewers and distillers ain’t just limited to Brooklyn and Boulder. |