The idea
In March 2026, we arranged Green the City: Adapting to Climate Change Conference in Swansea. A one-day event looking at how greener, more nature-rich towns and cities can help people and nature adapt to climate change.
Across Wales, people are delivering practical projects that improve biodiversity, manage water differently, create greener streets and help communities become more resilient.
We wanted to create an event where conversations could happen with people from different sectors to share ideas, learn from each other and celebrate what is happening in Welsh towns and cities.
Locally, there is a growing momentum around Swansea’s own green infrastructure journey, from green roofs and walls to sustainable drainage and community-led greening projects. And it felt important to collectively recognise this.
What happened
The conference included keynote talks, workshops, networking, exhibitions and hands on walks and practical demonstrations focused on climate adaptation and nature-based solutions.
Sessions and talks included financing green infrastructure, planning greener urban spaces, sustainable drainage, retrofitting bio-solar roofs and community-led climate adaptation.
We welcomed speakers and workshop leaders from organisations including Welsh Government, Swansea Council, Natural Resources Wales, Swansea University, UCL and international green infrastructure experts.
Plus, Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, signed the agreement recognising Swansea as a Biophilic City alongside Siwan Davies of Swansea University and Hywel Manley of Natural Resources Wales.
Impact
This was the first large-scale conference hosted collaboratively by the partners and sold out quickly with a large waiting list.
The event showcased practical projects already making a difference in Swansea and further afield, and reinforced Swansea’s growing reputation for ambitious and collaborative approaches to urban greening and climate adaptation.
It showed there is a real appetite for more practical conversations, stronger partnerships and shared learning around creating greener, healthier and more resilient places. So much so, we are now planning a larger Wales Urban Green Infrastructure Conference (WUGIC) for 2027 at Swansea Building Society Arena.
Funded by Welsh Government and part-funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through Project REPAIR, led by Swansea University in partnership with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, University College London, Hacer Developments, Codi Group, Natural Resources Wales and Swansea Council.