ecobuild 2018 has provided an opportunity for visitors to explore the latest issues and innovations pertaining to the built environment.
The central conference programme certainly delivered, with its opening session on March 6 focusing on delivering the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the New Urban Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
Speaker Paula Caballero, global director of the climate programme at the World Resources Institute, talked frankly about the challenges that lie ahead and stressed the need for an alignment of currently disparate agendas around climate action and development in order to succeed. Lord McConnell, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the SDGs, called for everyone in ecobuild’s Canary Wharf Conference Arena to take responsibility for delivering the goals.
Housebuilding and placemaking were also a big focus of the first day of the conference with James Lidgate, chief executive of Legal & General Homes, calling for urgent action to tackle the “unsustainable intergenerational inequality” that we see today.
Beyond the arena, there was standing room only at many seminar sessions, with the Offsite, Energy & HVAC and Timber districts proving particularly popular and show attendees keen to learn more about new ideas and emerging technologies.
The sustainability showcases were also a huge attraction for visitors, with people quite literally queueing out of the door to explore the space standard compliant ZEDpod. The zero carbon home is just one of a series of full scale builds at the event. Many attendees also decided to take a break and relax in The Hive Pocket Park, a brilliantly diverse green space created by The Edible Bus Stop Studio.
Day one of the event was also packed full of launches, including the Structural Timber Association’s Site Check pocket guide and the guide to Multifunctional Solar Carparks from the BRE National Solar Centre and FlexiSolar. Many exhibitors took the opportunity to demonstrate their latest products, including Bauder, which launched its brand new sustainable drainage solution for flat roofs, BauderBLUE. New top-of-the-range doors were also displayed for the first time at the Smart Architectural Aluminium Stand.
Martin Hurn, managing director of Futurebuild Events, opened ecobuild 2018 alongside Edward Hardy, chief executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme and John Garwood, managing director of the Canary Wharf Group. He said: “The first day of ecobuild 2018 has been a huge success. By partnering with the Considerate Constructors Scheme we have also been able to create an inclusive and respectful event like no other in this sector.
“Starting the event with a high-level discussion on the SDGs proves that this is the event for forward thinking professionals who want to make a real difference to the world we live in. Tomorrow promises to deliver more thought provoking discussions, hands-on workshops and brilliant product launches.”
Looking Ahead
Day two of ecobuild 2018 sees the continuation of discussions and sessions which consider key issues that matter to professionals from across the built environment. This includes a conference session examining construction quality in a post-Grenfell world, while New London Architecture is leading a discussion regarding the creation of a carbon neutral capital.
The second day of the show is also a perfect time to visit the BREEAM gallery to find out more about the winners of the BREEAM Awards, which are being hosted in the evening of March 7.
ecobuild is running until the March 8 at ExCeL London. Register for a place here.