Creating Regenerating Cities: Case Studies from Around the World

In an urbanising world, cities have new responsibilities for dealing with their increasingly global environmental impacts. Can they become pioneers of sustainable, or indeed, regenerative development? Can modern cities find ways of ending their systemic reliance on fossil fuels? Is zero-waste a realistic prospect? How can urban planning and management contribute to regenerating damaged ecosystems and future-proof development? The lecture will be based on case studies from around the world.

Speaker Biography

Prof. Girardet is an author, filmmaker, and consultant specializing in sustainable and regenerative urban development. He has authored 12 books and produced 50 documentaries on environmental themes, and is a winner of the United Nation’s Global 500 Award for environmental achievements. From 1996 to 2008 Girardet was chairman of the Schumacher Society, UK. He is also co-founder and former director of programmes at the World Future Council, which seeks to offer an ethical voice for the needs and rights of future generations. He has been a consultant to UNEP and UN-Habitat and has developed sustainability policies and strategies for cities like London, Vienna, Adelaide and Bristol. At present is a senior consultant to the Saudi Sustainability Initiative in Riyadh, and a visiting professor at the University of the West of England.