Symposium themes

ISHS Greener Cities 2024 seeks to advance the science of greening our cities by sharing the latest research on green infrastructure and soil-plant-water-atmosphere relations

We are inviting a broad range of presentations and posters from researchers interested in sharing their findings in the fields of green infrastructure and soil-plant-water-atmosphere relations, of both indoor and outdoor vegetation, within urban and peri-urban environments. Abstracts can be submitted below.

Relevant topics include both above-ground and below-ground aspects of, and processes associated with, the following:
 

  • thermal regulation
  • air quality improvement
  • carbon sequestration and storage
  • sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS)
  • flood risk mitigation
  • noise reduction
  • biodiversity support
Broader considerations around relevant policy, social science or behaviour change, human health impacts and botanical considerations within the above contexts are also of interest.

View plenary speakers

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Please note: When booking online, you are leaving the RHS website and will be directed to The Ticket Factory website. The Greener Cities Symposium booking is being provided by The Ticket Factory on behalf of the RHS. Both the RHS and The Ticket Factory terms and conditions and privacy policies will apply. Please refer to the full privacy notice at the end of this page regarding how your personal data will be used. 

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Case studies of research that will be presented

Maximising the potential of hedges for urban restoration

Urban hedges are a simple, space-saving and cost-effective green intervention with potential to alleviate several local environmental problems.

Led by conference co-convenor Dr Tijana Blanusa, this project investigates the plant structural and functional traits required for the delivery of multiple environmental benefits by mixed hedging.

It includes a school ‘case study’ to test a science-driven solution in practice, capturing the environmental and social benefits of diverse planting whilst addressing practical concerns related to implementation and maintenance.

How gardeners can mitigate adverse effects of climate change through tree planting choices

Trees provide valuable services in cities such as flood mitigation, cooling, insulation, noise attenuation, CO2 sequestration, increased biodiversity and improved air quality. However, little knowledge exists on the most effective taxa for providing each benefit. 


Dr Elisabeth Larsen is quantifying the rainfall attenuation, cooling potential and carbon uptake of a range of garden trees in order to understand how species selection can be optimised for the delivery of each service. This will enable her to develop recommendations for gardeners, whilst raising awareness of the contribution gardeners can make in tackling specific environmental concerns via tree planting.

Privacy notice
When booking tickets, you are leaving the RHS website and will be directed to The Ticket Factory website. The Greener Cities Symposium booking is being provided by The Ticket Factory on behalf of the RHS. Both the RHS and The Ticket Factory terms and conditions and privacy policies will apply. The RHS is the Data Controller for the personal data collected and processed for the Greener Cities Symposium. The Ticket Factory will process your personal data provided for this event on behalf of RHS for purposes of processing your payment, issuing your ticket, managing your booking, arranging access (where you have accessibility requirements), and for fulfilling your dietary requirements (where you have booked the Gala and dinner).
 
The personal data provided for this booking will be kept by The Ticket Factory and RHS for one year following Symposium for purposes of any payment queries after the Symposium. It will not be retained by The Ticket Factory following this period, unless you already have an account with The Ticket Factory, are an existing The Ticket Factory customer or have agreed to receive other information from them. Please read the RHS Privacy Policy and The Ticket Factory Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and how to exercise your rights under the Data Protection Legislation. 
 
Please note that this Symposium has been organised by RHS in partnership with the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). The ISHS membership number is requested for the purposes of verifying your ISHS membership, to ensure that you are entitled to register at the discounted ISHS member fee for the Symposium. The ISHS member checks will be carried out by authorised RHS staff via the ISHS system.  ISHS will share your name, contact details and your abstract submission, submitted via the ISHS Rosa system with RHS, in order for RHS to contact you about finalising your abstracts and symposium proceedings and publishing papers. Please read the ISHS Privacy Policy for more information on how ISHS processes your personal data.

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