In Partnership with Hardscape: The Public Spaces Theatre

The opportunities that biodiversity net gain can provide for the landscaping sector is one of a series of topics being discussed in the theatre at this year’s Public Spaces Expo in partnership with Hardscape.

Introduced earlier this year, biodiversity net gain is now mandatory for new developments. An expert panel including associate landscape architect Brian Hawtin of Huskisson Brown, Future Nature Consulting’s director Peter Massini and Arup’s UKIMEA nature leader Tom Butterworth will discuss the impact of the legislation over the last few months.

They’ll be joined by Helen Simmen, head of research and development of Wildflower Turf, and Tunley Environmental’s biodiversity specialist and sustainability scientist Tara Garraty.

Future of London will host a panel focusing on designing for diversity for public spaces, hosted by its head of knowledge Anna Odedun. Together with Dr Al Mathers of Young Foundation, Dr Bridget Snaith of the University of Sheffield and Tower Hamlets Council’s Jennie Savage, they’ll discuss co-design and creating actively inclusive spaces.

Expert John Little of Grass Roof Company will then share how to recreate habitats found on brownfield sites – which are some of the most important places in our landscape – on new landscapes in an aesthetic way to please both clients and the local community.

The first day of the Public Spaces Expo will close with a panel discussion around sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) becoming mandatory. Robert Bray Associates’ managing director Kevin Barton, BioScapes’ head of nature based solutions Terry Smithson, The Environmental Protection Group’s head of water Jacqueline Diaz-Neto and Refolo Landscape Architect’s director Cristina Refolo will discuss the potential of Schedule 3 being implemented and how nature needs to be the heart of it.

Opening the second day of talks, a panel will share their experiences in trying to develop their businesses and succeed in the commercial sector. They’ll explain why they’re focusing on this market, the challenges they’re facing and the help that is needed to grow the sector.

The procurement process then falls under the spotlight. A panel including Blakedown Landscape’s managing director Chris Wellbelove and Tivoli’s managing director Robert Cunliffe will touch on the new Procurement Act 2023 and whether more needs to be done to modernise public sector procurement and enable better relationships between the client and the contractor.

The Landscape Institute’s technical & research manager Tracy Whitfield hosts the final session of the show, alongside DeepGreen’s founder Romy Rawlings FLI and Hardscape’s operations manager Stephen Duce.

They’ll share an update following the release of the LI’s report on reducing carbon in landscape schemes and works, published earlier this year in partnership with the British Association of Landscape Industries, focusing on their work to deliver integrated solutions and their future plans.