Thank you for being part of WGIC26
WGIC26 took place from 27 to 30 October 2026 in Barcelona and Lleida. Thank you to everyone who contributed. The programme, speakers and academic content remain available as the congress archive.
Green infrastructure has moved from pilot project to city policy
For years, green roofs, urban forests and nature-based solutions were something cities tried. Today they appear in building codes, municipal budgets and public health strategies across the world.
WGIC26 brought together the people writing those rules and the people delivering the results: policymakers, researchers, architects, engineers, contractors and city officials, for four days in Barcelona and Lleida.
400
registrations
142
speakers
32
poster authors
41
institutions and sponsors
Featured speakers
International voices that explored how cities live with nature
Marcos RosArchitect, academic, and Member of the European Parliament, Marcos Ros works at the intersection of urban policy, sustainability, housing, and the built environment, bringing a strong European institutional perspective to the future of cities.
Wendy Y. ChenProfessor at the University of Hong Kong, Wendy Y. Chen specialises in urban green-blue infrastructure, focusing on how nature-based solutions improve urban sustainability, planning, and quality of life.
Salvador RuedaFounder of the Urban and Territorial Ecology Foundation (FEUT), Salvador Rueda is a pioneer in urban ecology and the creator of the internationally recognised Superblocks model, which is redefining healthier and more liveable cities.
Alberto EstevezArchitect and founder of ESARQ-UIC Barcelona, Alberto T. Estévez is a leading voice in biodigital architecture, exploring the convergence of design, biology, advanced technology and sustainability
Enric BatlleFounding Partner of Batlleiroig, architect and landscape architect Enric Batlle is internationally known for integrating architecture, landscape, and urban planning to create resilient and environmentally conscious urban environments.
Jesús Pérez GilVice President of the One Health Platform (POH), representing the Spanish Conference of Biology Deans (CEDB), and Chair Professor at the Faculty of Biology of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
Maria Àngels BalsellsMaria Àngels Balsells Bailón is Rector and Chair Professor of Education at the UdL
Cristina MartínezCristina Martínez Aransay is Head of the Cities Area at Fundación Biodiversidad (MITECO)
Victoria PérezVictoria Pérez García is Cities Area Coordinator at Fundación Biodiversidad (MITECO)
Loredana ScutoLoredana Scuto is Senior Programme Officer - Urban at IUCN
Job MwangiJob Mwangi is Advocacy Manager at The Green Belt Movement and a Kenyan lawyer and communications professional
Sergio CarrataláAfter 15 years as a civil engineer working on major infrastructure projects, Sergio Carratalá founded MataAlta in 2018 with the conviction that engineering can also help regenerate the territory
Luigi PetitoLuigi Petito, 51, is an expert in European public affairs based in Brussels, the crossroads of international affairs and the European institutions
Chiara FarineaChiara Farinea is an Italian architect, urban planner and researcher exploring the integration of nature into cities, with a focus on more-than-human and interspecies design and emerging technologies
David Vernon BrasfieldArchitect and building engineer promoting green infrastructure since 2006, David Vernon Brasfield is Chairperson of the Norwegian Association for Green Infrastructure and Board Member and Supervisor of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN)
Gabriel PérezGabriel Pérez Luque is Chair Professor of Architectural Construction at the Universitat de Lleida (UdL)
Steven PeckSteven Peck is co-founder and President of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) and founder of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Camille TallonCamille is C40's Senior Manager for Urban Planning and the 15-Minute City
Paloma Aba GarroteSince 2023, Paloma has served as Director of CINEA, the executive agency established by the European Commission to implement EU funding programmes that boost green growth and clean industry in Europe
Linda S. VelazquezLinda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP is the Greenroofs.com founder & publisher (1999) presenting the yearly 'Top 10 List of Hot Trends' since 2007
Jon AjanguizArchitect responsible for the development of the Green Roof Promotion and Implementation Programme at the Barcelona Municipal Institute of Urban Landscape (IMPUiQV)
Bert BelmansBert Belmans is an engineer-architect with over 15 years of experience in climate-adaptive architecture and nature-based solutions (NbS)
David MartínezDavid Martínez is Urban Planning Manager at Barcelona City Council
Where it took place
Four days, two cities, three parts of the programme
27–28 OctoberCongress & Workshops
Keynotes, parallel sessions and oral presentations across the two main congress days.
CCIB — Parc del Fòrum, BarcelonaCongress & Workshops29 OctoberTechnical visits
Three guided itineraries through Barcelona's green roofs, living façades and urban gardens, explained on site by the teams behind them.
Across Barcelona · Small groupsTechnical visits30 OctoberInnovation Day
A research and innovation day at the Universitat de Lleida, built around the BIG4LIFE project on building-integrated greenery.
Universitat de Lleida — LleidaInnovation DaySponsors & Partners
Organized by
Emerald Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Co-partners
Garden Big Exhibitors
Garden Medium Exhibitors
Flower Exhibitor
Media Partners
