I was honored to be a judge for the inaugural THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards, and I’m pleased to congratulate the winners and acknowledge everyone who participated!

Organized by the Colombian Network of Green Infrastructure RECIVE (Red Colombiana de Infraestructura Vegetada), World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN), and partner universities, winners will be celebrated at the upcoming World Green Infrastructure Congress (WGIC) 2016 on October 19 -21 in Bogotá.

We had 32 awesome projects in four tracks and two categories submitted from across the globe, with 12 entries in the Global category and 20 in the Latin America category.  The entries were extremely professional in detail and presentation, and I have to say in most cases it was very difficult for me to rate one higher than another.  And I’m sure that same held true for the other judges.

Winners of THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards 2016:

1ST Place. Design Track. Global Category:

1ST Place. Design Track.  Latin America Category:

1ST Place. Research & Innovation Track. Senior Students. Global.  Country:  U.S.A.:

1ST Place. Research & Innovation Track. Senior Students. Latin America:

1ST Place. Design Track. Junior Students:

1ST Place. Environment Track.  Global Category:

1ST Place. Environment Track.  Latin America Category:

1ST Place. Community Track.  Latin America Category:

1ST Place. Research & Innovation Track.  Latin America Category:

1ST Place. Research & Innovation Track. Senior Students:

Congratulations to the 2nd Place Winners of THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards 2016:

Design GLOBAL CATEGORY: LABAU Bioclimatic Architecture and Urban Agriculture Laboratory by Sicilia y Asociados Arquitectura, Spain;
Design LATIN AMERICA CATEGORY: Jardín pulmón Lineal Cubiertas estaciones TroleBus Quito by Santiago Jacome, Ecuador;
Environment GLOBAL CATEGORY: Amy’s Restaurant by SYMBIOS, U.S.A.
Environment LATIN AMERICA CATEGORY: Santalaia by Exacta Proyecto Total, Colombia;
COMMUNITY LATIN AMERICA CATEGORY: Mercado Ecológico Solidario de la provincia del Sumapaz by Asopromes, Colombia

THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards 2016 Ceremony will be held on October 20.  It’s impossible in terms of space to highlight more of the winners’ work plus everyone else, but you can see ALL of the information for the 32 submissions in THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards Booklet below:

Click to download THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards Booklet.

It’s certainly not too late to join us in the bustling and safe metropolis of Bogotá where RECIVE and WGIN will welcome you to great infrastructure projects, warm people, economic opportunities, and the cultural richness of one of the leading hubs in Latin America.

And, if you read the recent post about the WGIC 2016 from Andrés Ibáñez (founder of the WGIC2016 Organizing Committee, founder and director of the technical and scientific committee RECIVE), you’ll be familiar with the following reasons to join us – one of my favorites is the last one!

10 Reasons to Come to Colombia and Bogotá:

• Colombia is the most biodiverse country per square meter.
• Colombia is the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world.
• Bogotá’s got the perfect weather all year round.
• Bogotá’s got the fastest growing market of green infrastructure in Latin America.
• Colombia is one of the CIVETS (Countries with an economic prospect after BRICS).
• Colombian culture captures the best from Europe, Africa and America.
• Bogotá is one of the C40 Sustainable cities.
• Bogota’s surroundings have the largest Paramo ecosystems in the world (unique highlands in the tropics).
• The Congress will take place in Connecta, a redevelopment with green buildings and landscapes.
• Everyone in Colombia knows how to dance!

Winners THE-NEXT-GREEN Awards WGIC 2016 Bogota

Register Here

Book Discounted Flights and Accommodations:

Register for the Congress to find great deals in accommodation and flights.  Upon registration, e-mail the travel agency CONTACTOS for a promotional code to book discounted flights with AVIANCA.  CONTACTOS will also help you process discounted accommodation at A-LOFT, the official hotel located steps away from the Congress venue.  Tell CONTACTOS about your travel plans in Bogotá and other towns in Colombia for a seamless visiting experience.  Contact: congresosbogota@contactos.com.co.

More World Green Infrastructure Congress 2016 Info:

Read the 34-page brochure “Bogotá: The Next Green City” which includes Milestones of Green Infrastructure, Colombia: The Rebirth of a Country, Colombia is Magical Realism, Top 10 Places to Visit in Bogotá – plus much more information.

Visit the Congress website http://www.wgicbogota2016.com/ to learn all about the WGIC 2016, and for all questions, contact Andrés Ibáñez at:

andres.ibanez@recive.org and info@recive.org
Phone: +57 1 6916757 and +57 3185380706
Fax: +57 1 218157

If you go, on Thursday, October 20 I’ll be presenting my “Top 10 Green Infrastructure Eco-Agents in a Climate Changing World” before the Awards Ceremony – see the complete Agenda.

Hopefully we’ll see you in beautiful and green Bogotá next week!

By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher