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

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.

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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.

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Symposium themes by day

Day One themes include:
 

  • Rethinking urban horticulture: perspectives from applied biotechnology and environmental engineering (keynote lecture)
  • Ecosystem services delivery and plant choices
  • Indoor planting and green roofs and walls


  • Hedges: from science to application
  • Green city case studies
  • Gardens by the Bay: a green marvel of sustainability (keynote lecture)

Day Two themes include:
 

  • Greening cities in the face of water scarcity through sustainability innovation (keynote lecture)
  • Water and climate

 

  • Urban food
  • Posters

Day Three themes include:
 

  • Urban forests for cool cities: building actions from evidence (keynote lecture)
  • Urban trees

 

  • Policy and application

The post-symposium London Green Infrastructure Tour on 28 September (booked separately) includes a guided walking tour through current and emerging green infrastructure best practice examples and sites in London.

Symposium programme >

Symposium committees >

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.