By Dr. Hajime Koshimizu, Chairperson of Nagoya WGIN Team, and former Meiji University Professor

Photos and Graphics Courtesy of WGIN unless Otherwise Noted

Organized by the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) NAGOYA in cooperation with the NPO Sky Front Forum, please join us in Japan for the upcoming WGIN Congress Nagoya 2015, held on October 14-16 at the KKR HOTEL NAGOYA. Presentations will be simultaneously translated into both English and Japanese.

The World Green Infrastructure Congress (WGIC) is an annual international event on urban green infrastructure which provides social, environmental and economical benefits through sustainable greening systems such as green roofs, living walls, urban forests, landscape regeneration, wetland renewal and water sensitive urban design practices.

The three-day 2015 Congress in Nagoya will provide international and national keynote experts presenting on new research, case studies, best practice management, and the latest technologies in this expanding industry. The annual national green fair of Japan will be held during the same period in Nagoya city, so international participants will be able to inspect the most advanced greening in Japan in Congress research tours. These events will be hosted with excellent accommodations, catering, and exceptional Japanese hospitality.

NAGOYA
Nagoya is located at the center of Honshu (the main island of Japan) with a population of 2.24 million. Nagoya has a long history and is the birthplace of three notable fundal lords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Traditional industries like ceramics and textures as well as key modern industries like automobiles, aviation and machine tools have also developed in Nagoya, and Nagoya plays an important role in Japan’s industrial society. Today, Nagoya continues to draw attention and keeps on developing as a Japanese international city.

“Higashiyama botanical gardens-01” by KAMUI – I took a picture.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Verdant parks, including Higashiyama Park, which a sprawling zoo and botanical gardens, dot Nagoya from the northwest to southwest. Fujimae Tidal Float, a globally important layover for migratory birds located near the Port of Nagoya, was registered under the Ramsar Convention November 2002. In addition, Nagoya has taken up the philosophies promoted by Expo 2005 Aichi Japan, which was held from March to September 2005, and continues environmental presentation activities with the goal of becoming “Eco-Capital Nagoya.”

Nagoya is situated in the very center of Japan, serving as a terminal for public transportation services. Whether enjoying travel in Central Japan or in the Hokuriku region, Nagoya is incredibly convenient as a gateway. Via the Shinkansen bullet train, Kyoto is about 35 minutes away, Osaka about 55 minutes, and Tokyo about 100 minutes. Getting to anywhere in Japan is easy from Nagoya.

VENUE
The WGIN Congress Nagoya 2015 will be held at the KKR HOTEL Nagoya in the heart of Nagoya located at 1-5-1, Sannomaru, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan TEL +81 52 201 3326 / FAX +81 52 201 3870. By Train: Meitetsu Line, Central Japan International Airport – Kanayama, about 25 minutes. By Subway: Meijo Line, Kanayama- Shiyakusho, about 10 minutes.

SESSIONS
1. Policy: Programs and Policies to Support Green Roofs and Green Walls
2. Design: Green Roof/ Green Wall Design and Implementation
3. Research: Research/ Technical Papers on Green Roof and Green Wall Performance

THEMES
a. Water Management
b. Economics of Living Green Infrastructure
c. Energy Efficiency
d. Health and Well-Being
e. Technologies and Innovations
f. Plants and Vegetation
g. Design
h. Thermal Environment
i. Biodiversity and Ecosystems
j. Facilities Utilization and Management

PROGRAM
October 13:
Regular Board Meeting*
*With closed door

October 14:
Registration, Opening Ceremy, and Keynote Lectures

The host cities (Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya city), Relevant ministries (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ministry of the Environment), Academics, affiliated companies, and the President of the World Green Infrastructure Network.

Among others, Keynotes & Speakers and their presentations include:

Keynotes & Speakers, Left to Right: Prof. Dr. Manfred Koehler; Makoto Machida; and Francois Lassalle.

Prof. Dr. Manfred Koehler, WGIN President and Vice Dean Faculty LG, University of Applied Sciences, Neubrandenburg, Germany: “Preservation and Improvement of Biodiversity in the Urban Area by Green Roofs and Living Walls”;

Mr. Makoto Machida, Director, Parks, Green Spaces and Landscape Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Toursism: “The Cities with Abundant of Greenery with the Collaborations of the Government, Local Cities and Private-Sector Corporations”;

Mr. Francois Lassalle, Strasbourg, France: “French Green Roof and Wall as Green Infrastructure”;

Keynotes & Speakers, Left to Right: Prof. Shiro Wakui; Dr. Julain Briz; and Steven W. Peck

Prof. Shiro Wakui, Faculty of Information Environment, Tokyo City University; Vice Professor, Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies, Chubu University; and Visiting Professor, Faculty of Regional Environmental Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture: “Urban Ecosystem Recovery with Green Technology”;

Prof. Dr. Julian Briz, Polytechnic University Madrid and President and Founder of PRONATUR: “Innovation and research in Green Urban Areas”;

Mr. Steven W. Peck, GRP, Honorary ASLA, the Founder and President of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: “Living Architecture, Science and Designing for Improved Human Health.”

Welcome Party

October 15:
Research Presentations and Poster Sessions
Exhibition

October 16: Excursion of green roofs and green walls in Nagoya city, Urban Green Fair in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park:

Oasis 21
Oasis 21 serves in part as a bus terminal for city buses and highway buses alike to distant destinations such as Tokyo. The atrium-style Event Square “Galaxy Platform” is surrounded by shops, cafes, and also the tourist information “Oasis 21i Center,” and various events are held in this square around the year.

Nagoya City Science Museum, Planetarium
After renovations in 2011, the world’s biggest planetarium according to the Guinness World Records (January 2013) was opened. Sit back on the reclining seat and look up to a star-filled sky! Also experience the amazing sound effects such as chirping of insects coming from the floor. In the minus 30°C booth (for which numbered tickets are issued on the day of your visit), watch the vision
of an aurora.

Chikusa Culture Small Theater
“Chikusa-za” Greening with Hedera (Ivy) on the wall facing the main road. The drooping type of Hedera canariensis was used on the rooftop. Passionflower and Trumpet Vine was also planted. A rainwater storage tank in the basement of the building was set up for irrigation of the plants. Almost maintenance-free otherwise.

Optional tour of green roofs and green walls in Tokyo or Osaka (October 17) – contact us for additional information!

Concurrent: Urban Greening Fair on 12th September to 8th November, 2015

Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park
The Urban Greening Fair has been held every year on a rotating basis throughout the country. During the event of the WGIN Congress Nagoya 2015, the Urban Greening Fair will also be held in Nagoya. Exhibitions of the latest technologies of green roof and green wall by companies and public organizations will be presented as well as their future, which is the infrastructure of the city green. Indicators of green for the urban environment assessment, biodiversity indicators of urban environment, etc., students and civic society organizations are also participating. We are planning a fun Closing Ceremony of the 2015 Congress in this corner of the venue.

Visit the WGIC Nagoya 2015 website to learn much more and see photos and more on our Facebook page here.

We hope you can come to beautiful Nagoya, Japan and share the fun and learning of our WGIN Congress Nagoya 2015, held soon on October 14-16!

Dr. Hajime Koshimizu, Chairperson of Nagoya WGIN Team, and former Meiji University Professor

Professor Koshimizu is the leading authority for research and advocacy on urban agriculture in Asia.  Contact him at: info@wgin-nagoya.jp.