CitiesAlive is a Forum for Innovation and Solutions to Urban Challenges

What is the future of our city regions?  Will they be unbearably hot and regularly flooded by intense rains and high tides?  Will they be increasingly unhealthy and more divided between ‘us and them’?  Will there be a lack of green space and job opportunities?

Brought to you by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, CitiesAlive provides green infrastructure solutions to urban challenges by bringing together designers, researchers, contractors, manufacturers, and policymakers.

Discover how to shape a healthier, more resilient future in NYC this September in just over two weeks.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Welcomes Outstanding Keynote Speakers

Opening Plenary & Keynote Speakers
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Susannah C. Drake: Susannah C. Drake, FASLA, RA, RLA is the founding principal of DLANDstudio Architecture + Landscape Architecture pllc. As an architect and landscape architect, Susannah specializes in complex projects that require a synthesized, analytical, and research-based approach.  DLANDstudio’s recent projects include The QueensWay Metropolitan Hub, Public Media Commons in St. Louis, Missouri, “A New Urban Ground” for MoMA’s Rising Currents project, BQGreen, and Gowanus Canal Sponge Park™.

Alan Steel: Alan Steel, President & CEO, New York Convention Center Operating Corporation Javits Center, will outline the remarkable transformation of New York’s largest convention center into a model of sustainability and wildlife sanctuary.  Along with its 6.75-acre green roof, the Javits Center has reduced its energy consumption by 26% and become a unique home to 26 bird species, five bat species and thousands of honey bees.  Listen to Alan as he walks through the challenges, results and impact of sustainable building in a dense urban environment and shares his exciting plans for the future of one of New York’s most iconic facilities.

The massive Javits Center green roof.

Rafael Espinal: A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Rafael L. Espinal Jr. is the Council Member for the 37th district, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills and East New York.  Council Member Espinal is committed to finding consumer solutions to environmental problems and ensuring New York City remain a leader in sustainability.  He has introduced legislation related to banning plastic bottles in city parks and beaches, expanding access to urban agriculture and mandating green roofs.

Morning Plenary & Keynote Speakers
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
8:30 am – 9:30 am

Laura Starr: Laura Starr is Founding Principal of Starr Whitehouse, a landscape architecture and planning firm.  Former President of the American Society of Landscape Architects’ New York Chapter, she has created resilient design solutions for New York City for over 25 years.  Her latest contributions to strengthen the city are ‘The Big U’ and ‘East Harlem Resiliency Study’ projects.  To make the best decisions for the entire community, Laura has engaged them in deciphering the perfect methodology to build ‘The Big U’ project that will create a disaster-resilient city.

Via Verde green columns.

Fernando Ortiz Monasterio: Fernando Ortiz Monasterio is Director General, Verde Vertical.  Known as one of Latin America’s best Sustainable Architects, Fernando Ortiz Monasterio has made it his mission to green Mexico City.  He has pushed the boundaries of green infrastructure innovation to lead his city to a sustainable future. Through his project ‘Via Verde’ Fernando and his team at Verde Vertical are installing and maintaining over 1,000 green columns with over 2 million plants in Mexico City’s Beltway expressway.

Morning Plenary & Keynote Speaker
Thursday, September 27, 2018
9:30 am – 10:30 am

Dr. Ken Yeang: Ken Yeang is Principal Hamzah & Yeang, an architect, planner and ecologist.  He is best known for his signature green architecture and masterplanning, differentiated from other green architects by their authentic ecology-based approach and distinctive green aesthetic and green performance beyond conventional rating systems.  Ken Yeang will share the connection between ecology and architecture and why it is critical in addressing urban challenges of the 21st century.  In his presentation, discover projects that seamlessly blend the built and natural environment and explore concepts like biophilic design and skyrise greening.

To learn more about all of the keynotes, visit citiesalive.org/keynotes.

Don’t Miss CitiesAlive 2018 Events

In addition to a fantastic lineup of speakers, CitiesAlive also offers networking events, training courses, local tours, and a trade show.

CitiesAlive 2018 and Agritecture are proud to present Sunset Sips: The Rooftop Farm Mixer at the world’s leading rooftop, Brooklyn Grange Farm.  Join us on Thursday, September 27th for an evening filled with local beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres, a tour of the farm and incredible views of Manhattan at dusk.  Let’s come together to celebrate the part you play in the Living Architecture and Urban Agriculture sector!  CitiesAlive delegates receive a discounted ticket price but the event is open for anyone to attend.

And, don’t miss the Land8 Happy Hour on Tuesday evening and the Sightseeing Social on the Hudson on Wednesday evening!

Learn more at citiesalive.org/events.

The Green Infrastructure Foundation will conduct two new trainings at CitiesAlive this year, Valuing the Benefits of Green Infrastructure and Living Architecture Performance Tool Workshop.  Get insights on the various benefits a rooftop urban farm has to offer as well as the conditions that can lead to a success project at the Introduction to Urban Agriculture Training.  Other training courses include Green Walls 101, Advanced Green Roof Maintenance and Green Roof Design and Installation.  Learn more at citiesalive.org/training.

The Irish Hunger Memorial green roof.

Explore local green infrastructure projects in NYC by taking one of the guided tours.  CitiesAlive offers various exclusive tours like Friends of the High Line Walking Tour, World Trade Center Liberty Park Green Wall Tour and Irish Hunger Memorial Tour.  For more information on tours visit citiesalive.org/tours.

Don’t Miss CitiesAlive 2018 Trade Show

Join your colleagues at the CitiesAlive Trade Show to visit over 40 booths and engage with experts:

Learn about modular green roof systems, stormwater monitoring and sensors, engineered soils, irrigation systems, waterproofing, green wall systems, green infrastructure financing, urban farming and more!  The CitiesAlive Trade Show is open from the evening of September 25th to the afternoon of September 27th showcasing the latest and greatest technologies, products and services.

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge

All programming and the trade show take place at the stunning New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.

Stay close to the action and take advantage of the special room rate for CitiesAlive attendees, only $309 USD per night if you book before the 12th of September!  Visit citiesalive.org/venue for details on how to reserve your room!

Don’t Miss CitiesAlive 2018 in NYC

With so much to offer the green roof and green wall professional, don’t miss CitiesAlive 2018 in Brooklyn –register today!

For more information on speakers, events, and the venue visit citiesalive.org

CitiesAlive Conference is approved for 11.5 HSW CEUs by ASLA, 11.5 GRP CEUs by GRHC and 15 RCI CEHs and is pending approval for up to 11 Continuing Education / Professional Development Hours by AIA CES, BOMI, APLD and RCI.

~ Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ mission is to increase the 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.

Visit www.greenroofs.org for more information.

Contact Steven Peck, GRHC founder and president at speck@greenroofs.org and 416-971-4494 x 233.