The Ecobuild Arena returned to the show floor and hosted a cutting edge programme of high level discussion and debate covering everything from the Green Deal to Climate Change, from Greening our Cities to Reinventing the High Street. 

Ministers and government officials were joined by experts from leading organisations such as the RIBA, the UK-GBC, Environment Agency, Arup and the Construction Industry Council, as well as academics from leading UK and international universities.

The Arena landscape was a thought provoking display that highlighted the importance of sustainable green infrastructure in the built environment. Designed by landscape architect Patrick Collins, it took its inspiration from the endless variety of vertical and horizontal surfaces that occur within cities and the limitless potential that these offer for the greening of the urban landscape. 
(Patrick is a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner and was the designer of Ecobuild’s highly acclaimed Green Cube.)

With more people than ever before living in urban rather than rural environments, the Arena landscape explored ways of connecting city dwellers with nature and the benefits that this can bring. Based on current thinking it demonstrated methods of enhancing biodiversity and encouraging nature in the city. 

Many of the trees and plants shown were donated to Hackney Council and used in the planting of community spaces.

The feature was made possible with contributions from:
Barcham Trees, Biotecture, British Beekeepers’  Association, Green Roof Shelters, Habitat Aid, Lindum Turf, MMA Jakob, Mobilane, Red Bee Hive Company, Timberplay, Wildflower Turf

See full Ecobuild Arena conference programme HERE!