Green Cities Europe seminar spotlights sustainable horticulture practices
23 November 2023
Portlaoise recently hosted the ‘Green Cities Europe’ seminar, organised by Bord Bia for the Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association (IHNSA). The event brought together professionals from the horticulture sector, local councils, landscape designers, contractors, and academics. Keynote speakers Dermot Foley and Peter O’Toole shared insights into their experiences.
A panel discussion featured industry leaders discussing sustainability practices and insights into greening built environments. The Green Cities Europe initiative, backed by the European Union, emphasised integrating green spaces into construction projects to combat climate change and promote well-being, recreation, and biodiversity. In Ireland, the initiative aims to increase green landscaping in projects using locally grown planting stock, according to Bord Bia.
The Green Cities Europe Award recognises outstanding urban green spaces, with Dublin City Council’s Bridgefoot Street Park winning the Irish category. The award celebrates projects aligning with the campaign’s ideals, emphasising the role of green spaces in addressing climate change and promoting well-being, biodiversity, social cohesion, and the economy. Shortlisted projects include Limerick City and County Council’s ‘Greening Streets’ initiative and St Audeon’s Park in Christchurch, Dublin.
Val Farrell, chairman, Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association, said: “Supporting local growers in rural areas brings significant advantages for planners and developers around the country, but the impact and benefits are circular.
“Our local growers have expertise on the type of stock that is better suited to our climate, and it genuinely makes sense to deliver what will thrive here to each project for long-term benefit. Sourcing stock locally also reduces our carbon footprint. The case for greening our towns and cities is clear, as is the case for buying Irish.”
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