Green infrastructure conference draws a crowd at #IFB2014

Over 100 delegates attended the Setting the Scene for Growth: Creating Investible Places conference on 27 June, as part of the International Festival of Business (#IFB2014) 

The event explored how well-maintained green spaces, woodlands and parks can lead to investment, jobs and growth. 

Good morning Liverpool! We're at @RumWarehouseLIV today talking about how trees lead to jobs & investment as part of #IFB2014 #morefromtrees

— The Mersey Forest (@merseyforest) June 27, 2014

In Liverpool for @merseyforest Setting the Scene for Growth conference - exploring how can Green Infrastructure underpin investable places

— Paul Simkins (@paulsimkins) June 27, 2014

The event was part of the International Festival for Business 2014, which took place in Liverpool throughout June and July. 

Speakers included Richard Mawdsley from Peel Holdings, Tom Armour of Arup, Chris Baines, of Chris Baines Associates Ltd, Anna Scott-Marshall of RIBA, Dave Anderson of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Hugh Ellis of TCPA and Paul Nolan from The Mersey Forest. Cllr Claire Glare of Liverpool City Council welcomed the delegates to the conference.

The main presentations focussed on the benefits that good-quality green infrastructure deliver. A key message was that natural systems should be embedded as an equal partner with other forms of infrastructure, and that green infrastructure is essential, not a bolt-on. 

A lively Q&A session followed the presentations.

@merseyforest setting the scene for growth ~ moving from data to delivery pic.twitter.com/HBBDxOZz70

— Keith Jones (@KeithJonesFC) June 27, 2014

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "It was great to see so many delegates at the event. They came from a range of sectors and in some cases travelled from across the country to attend. 

"We hope that the conference was useful in conveying a vital message: that in order to ensure prosperity and economic resilience in the future, we need to invest in our natural environment today."

Listening to why Peel Holdings are interested in green infrastructure... #IFB @merseyforest @livuniplanning pic.twitter.com/e9QfMyXVaD

— Sam Hayes (@samuelhayes) June 27, 2014

#settingthesceneforgrowth excellent thought provoking GI event @merseyforest

— Helen Rawlinson (@MintGreenEnv) June 28, 2014