The 20th Anniversary of CitiesAlive returns to Toronto with the City of Toronto as the Co-Host

Register for CitiesAlive by July 31 and Save With the Early Bird 

(July 29, 2024, – Toronto)

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities the North American Industry Association for the green roof and wall industry is pleased to announce the City of Toronto as co-host of the 20th Anniversary CitiesAlive conference November 6 – 9, 2024. Register by July 31, 2024 to take advantage of the early bird rate.

Attendees at CitiesAlive will celebrate 20 years of progress in developing green infrastructure. The event will profile policy and program excellence in Toronto and other jurisdictions. Over 1,000 green roofs have been installed in Toronto thanks in large part to the City’s pioneering Green Roof Bylaw and the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, both adopted in 2009. The Green Roof Bylaw provides mandates on new buildings, while the Eco-Roof Incentive Program offers financial incentives. These tools, together with several additional green infrastructure development programs like Toronto’s ambitious Green Development Standard, have significantly reshaped how new buildings in the city are built.

“It’s been 20 years since Toronto hosted the inaugural CitiesAlive Conference, so it is with great pleasure that we once again welcome Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and its members to our city. Since 2004, the City of Toronto has cemented its status as a leader in green infrastructure and we look forward to showcasing our accomplishments and learning from other jurisdictions at CitiesAlive 2024,” said James Nowlan, Executive Director, Environment and Climate, City of Toronto. 

“In addition to our Green Roof Bylaw and development standard, and the Eco-Roof Incentive Program, delegates will be able to learn about our Green Streets Program, the redevelopment of the Downsview Airport, the naturalization and flood control of the Don River, and much more,” said Nowlan.

“When we first started, no one even knew what a ‘green roof’ or ‘green infrastructure’ was. Now we are very pleased to see major cities like Toronto embrace green infrastructure as a core strategy to fight climate change, adapt to extreme weather and secure a healthier environment for its citizens,” said Steven W. Peck, Founder and President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “There is much to learn from leading jurisdictions on how to implement green infrastructure and other nature-based solutions into the development and redevelopment process.” 

Why Attend CitiesAlive 2024?

• Unmatched Networking Opportunities: Forge valuable connections with professionals from across the industry at our trade show and networking receptions, making it a truly multi-disciplinary conference.

• Policy and Design Masterclasses: Grow your knowledge through six expert-led masterclasses covering topics such as biophilia, green roof policy, and climate design.

• Over 100 Speakers: Learn from leading experts through presentations and panels discussing the latest designs, research, policies, and system integrations.

• Hands-On Learning: Participate in the Green Infrastructure Charrette or Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Training to apply your skills in real-world scenarios.

• Tour Innovative Designs: Experience Toronto’s green infrastructure excellence with expert-led tours of green streets, renaturalization projects, and more.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the 20th anniversary of CitiesAlive and witness firsthand the remarkable green infrastructure projects in Toronto. Register by July 31st and take advantage of the early bird rate and  the networking, learning, and hands-on experiences that CitiesAlive 2024 has to offer.

For more information and to register, please visit the CitiesAlive website. 

Thank you to the sponsors of this conference. The City of Toronto, rooflite, Ginkgo Sustainability, Soprema, Carlisle, LiveRoof, Hoffman Nursery, Sika Sarnafil, American Hydrotect, Next Level Stormwater Management, ARUP and our media sponsor, ReNew Canada.

Download the full press release here.