8. Greening Our Cities: Global Gamechangers 1 of 3

World cities are home to the vast bulk of humanity.

Urban environments are also responsible for 75% of global emissions. 

In this international discussion, experts explore the transformative power of Green Infrastructure (GI) in urban landscapes and examine innovative ways to make cities smarter, greener, and more communal - places where people can live for generations to come.   

• The transformation of 'concrete jungles' into liveable green hubs does not happen overnight nor by accident.  It needs tremendous imagination, willpower, and collective effort. How can we do this?
• How can we deeply rethink resources, their value, and the concepts of ‘scarcity’ and ‘abundance’ to make a sustainable, habitable world?
• How can we integrate nature, infrastructure, and technology?  
• What are some of the most innovative green tech solutions leading to change for the better? 

Host

Anthony Bourke: Professor of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney and TV Presenter; Australian host of the popular TV series Grand Designs Transformations, Restoration Australia, and Grand Designs Australia (all on ABC TV)

Panellists

Remy Sietchiping: Internationally recognised expert and UN strategist on Urban Planning and Geographic Information Systems; Chief of Policy at UN-HABITAT, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.

Germain Briand: Owner and director of the internationally acclaimed company, The Urban Canopee, on a bold mission to accelerate our cities’ greening through innovation to fight climate change and re-connect people with nature.

Jua Cilliers: Recognised global leader in urban planning and green infrastructure solutions, 'A Defender of the Future', Head of the School of the Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney.

Rob Stokes: Leading Australian spokesperson on city planning and the importance of Net Zero Cities; former New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.

About Global Gamechangers

Global Gamechangers is presented by the UTS Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, as a series of public conversations about the issues that matter. Find out more at uts.edu.au/partners-and-community/events/global-game-changers

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube.

Impact Talks at UTS is produced by UTS Impact Studios, a podcast studio that unlocks academic research through engaging and accessible podcasts.

Sound engineering is by Alison Zhuang.