The Sustainable Development X Urban Conservation Conference

WHAT MAKES GREAT PLACES TO LIVE?

….COMMUNITY….

….TREES…

On the 27^th March, Treework Director Luke Fay attended Sustainable Development X Urban Conservation Conference.

Delegates were inspired to consider #DoughnutEconomics, #BiophilicDesign and the role of Community and #Retrofit in the context of the drive to build 370,000 new houses a year, and the UK’s struggle to meet its commitments the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Presenters shared experience and concepts Oli Henman of Action for Sustainable Development set the context with a review of the #SustainableDevelopmentGoals, Dr Alia Fadel, FHEA of Leeds Beckett University introduced key concepts in biophilic design including considering humanity as nature, rather than in in tension with nature, and the Neurological Nourishment of provided by nature and Jonathan Smales of Human Nature encouraged delegates to aim for Exceptional Sustainability and left us with the words of David Graeber: “The hidden truth of the world is that it is something we make. And could just as easily make differently.”

Presenters shared their experience of practically applying these concepts to deliver inspiring developments, communities and landscapes, including Andrew Grant of Grant Associates who shared the iconic #GardensByTheBay in Singapore and Garden at the Tower of London.

Luke, reflecting on the day said: “I learned a tremendous amount and am deeply impressed by the vison of the conference and the quality of the speakers.

Reflecting on where these concepts intersect with arboriculture, it was striking that when the delegates were asked ‘What Makes Great Places to Live?’ the second highest response was ‘Trees’ just after ‘Community’.

Trees do a lot of the heavy-lifting for achieving Sustainability Goals and BiophilicDesign. They are literally carbon-capture-storage-systems, they reduce heating and cooling costs, they create a ‘sense of place’ and provide health benefits, and so much more.

Large trees provide exponentially more benefits than small trees. Mature trees provide these benefits now rather than in 30+ years.

For large trees to survive, let alone flourish, they need a large enough supportive environment above and below ground, through-out construction and when the development is in use.”

The conference was hosted at Bath Guild Hall by Bath Preservation Trust, Bath & North East Somerset Council and University of Bath.