Victoria University of Wellington

From Plans to People - Transforming Urban Spaces Through Design and Nature
This exhibition unites landscape architects, planners, public health officials, horticulturalists and green infrastructure specialists to illuminate the vital role of design and nature-based solutions in fostering healthy, resilient, and inclusive cities. This dynamic exhibition at the Habitat UNI Booth demonstrates how cities can leverage green infrastructure, participatory design, and cross-sector collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create healthier, more resilient, and equitable urban environments. Our event aligns directly with the WUF ethos, showcasing tangible ways that green infrastructure drives progress across multiple SDGs. We'll delve into how greenspaces promote health (SDG 3), enhance livability (SDG 11), support climate adaptation (SDG 13), and foster economic growth (SDG 8).

Participants will be exposed to successful case studies from both the Global North and Global South, highlighting the potential of green infrastructure in retrofitting existing cities, addressing informality, combating environmental injustice, and building resilience in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Diverse case studies will offer locally adaptable solutions, empowering attendees to tailor strategies to their own cities.

This exhibition emphasizes that partnerships between landscape architects, planners, public health officials, horticulturalists, and green infrastructure specialists are essential for success. By bridging disciplines, we unlock the comprehensive, integrated solutions needed to tackle complex urban challenges. Participants will leave the exhibition with an evidence-based understanding of green infrastructure's benefits, best practices for implementation, strategies for fostering collaboration, and a network of peers to support them in championing green transformation within their cities.