Press Releases

UK's leading landscaping and external works show reveals speaker programme for 2007

The importance of a quality public realm underpins conference sessions

EWx, the exhibition for all those involved in the development of the public realm, has announced the speaker programme for the event in 2007. Senior representatives from an impressive range of organisations including the Local Government Association, CABE, Play England and Groundwork will discuss a variety of issues relating to the public realm throughout the 3 day show.

John Best, Chief Executive, Milton Keynes Council, will address the issue of rapid growth and the demand which this places and will continue to place on the public realm. Dr Edward Hobson, Head of Research and Futures at CABE, will discuss Manual for Streets, guidance on street design which is due to be published by the Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government at the end of March. Edward will examine whether the guidance will deliver greater value for the urban public realm.

On 18th April, Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Chair of the Local Government Association, will give a keynote address. Leading Danish landscape architect Helle Nebelong will discuss how cities fulfil their full potential when their design is inclusive and allows accessibility to people of all cultures, abilities and needs.

Groundwork UK and the Landscape Design Trust will run a session to highlight the role of green space in promoting wellbeing in housing areas. On the final afternoon of the show, Play England will lead 2 workshops covering Value of Play, Risk of Play and Play Strategy. These will be interactive sessions including breakout sessions for small groups.

EWx Event Director Lucy McPhail commented :

"The importance of a quality public realm is hugely topical and it is widely recognised that well designed public spaces can have a major impact on a commmunity's economic, social and physical wellbeing. We are delighted at the calibre of the speakers at this year's event and believe that the conference programme will appeal to practitioners of all disciplines".

Notes to Editors

EWx, the exhibition for all those involved in the development of the public realm, has opened for business for 2007. The biennial event brings together a range of specialists involved in the planning, design, construction, use and maintenance of the public realm.

Visitor Breakdown: Specifiers, buyers and key influencers with responsibility for landscape architecture, contractor services, design, civil engineering, exterior lighting, facility management, groundsmanship, leisure and sports services, parks and open spaces, planning, project management, property development, streetscene and water engineering.

Exhibitor Breakdown: Manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor children's play equipment, landscape and ornament/public art, street furniture, exterior lighting, horticultural products, gates and moving barriers, concrete and cast stone, gates and moving barriers, ground engineering, soft landscaping/irrigation, structures and special fittings, water engineering and paving.

For further information please contact:

Ben Mascall
0207 269 9364
benm@tamesis-pr.com

Rachel Knowles
0207 269 9353
rachelk@tamesis-pr.com