A photograph of one of the Newcastle Great Park SuDS ponds

January 18, 2016, by Blue-Green team

Improving Flood Resilience: The Blue-Green Advantage (dissemination event 18th February 2016)

We need to get more for less in flood risk management. Climate change, economic development and growth increase risk, whilst funding is ever more constrained. Blue-Green infrastructure can help manage these risks whilst offering other multiple benefits; improved quality of life for communities via benefits to health, wellbeing and recreation, increased climate protection from heat and floods, improved air quality, carbon storage, and reduced noise, energy and water pollution. However, putting such schemes into practice is challenging due to complex governance, finance and significant up-front time needed for project development.

Over the past three years, the Blue-Green Cities team from nine leading Universities have researched cutting edge techniques for advancing Blue-Green approaches, from better modelling of water and sediment flows to creating new tools to evaluate the multiple benefits and determine stakeholder perceptions and values. In parallel, local partners including Newcastle City Council, Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and Newcastle University have explored what these approaches mean for the city and developed working relationships which seek to influence a Blue-Green Vision for Newcastle.

This event disseminates our research findings and launches a pledge to support a Blue-Green Vision, encouraging partners and the wider region to sign the pledge and collaborate to make it a reality.

Keynote speakers include:

  • Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development
  • Richard Warneford, Waste Water Director, Northumbrian Water
  • Marie Fallon, Area Manager – North East, Environment Agency
  • Prof Colin Thorne, Blue-Green Cities project lead, University of Nottingham
  • Prof Chris Kilsby and Clare Rogers, Newcastle University

 Why attend?

  • Hear influential thinkers and see insightful presentations
  • Be part of the discussion on progressing the Blue-Green Vision and working in partnership throughout Newcastle and the wider region
  • Learn more about the findings of the Blue-Green Cities project and how such research could change policy and practice at local, national and international levels
  • Network and engage key city partners to develop ideas and practical projects, such as retrofitting Blue-Green infrastructure and including it in new developments

Event details:

Thursday 18th February 2016 10.00 – 16.00, Newcastle Centre for Life

To reserve your place, please visit the online store.

Download the event description.

Blue-Green dissemination event partners

Posted in Conferences