join us at CitiesAlive In New York City!

Cities worldwide face unprecedented challenges. Extreme heat, intense flooding storms, rising ocean levels, growing populations, inequity combined with declining human and ecosystem health.  Future proofing cities is about designing products, built environments, public spaces, services and policies that make our communities more adaptable and resilient in the face of these changes.  Green infrastructure involves capturing stormwater as a resource, and using it to grow plants in, on and around buildings.  

Green infrastructure remains a fundamental and underutilized opportunity for us to secure a healthier and more prosperous future.  At CitiesAlive hundreds of experts will come together to share new research, design practices, products, policies and services that help all of us advance our collective ability to future proof our cities.  At CitiesAlive, you will be able to:

  • Be inspired by keynote speakers on subjects like designing green infrastructure to protect New York City by Rachel Wilkins, Bjarke Ingels Group; the promise of abundance through controlled environment agriculture by Architect Anthony Fieldman, DIALOG; and the future of rooftop agrivoltaics with Dr. Jennifer Bousselot, Colorado State University.  

  • Learn practical information from our expert-led Masterclass Track:

  • Biophilic Design Practice with Bill Browning, Terrapin Bright Green; 

  • Designing Green Roofs for Biodiversity with Dr. Bruce Dvorak, Texas A&M University; 

  • Green Wall Design Best Practices with Lily Turner, Lily Scott Designs; 

  • Designing Irrigations Systems with Andy Creath, Green Roofs of Colorado, and

  • Maximizing Stormwater Retention and Detention, with Zach Wiliullah, American Hydrotech/Sika Sarnafil

  • Learn from experts in our Panelist Track on topics ranging from Construction Best Practices and Overcoming Common Challenges, to How to Select Waterproofing for your next green roof project.

  • Learn how to navigate NYC programs from the Department of Environmental Protection as well as how to access third party financing through PACE.

  • Discover the latest research on subjects ranging from substrate and native plant performance to marshland flood resistance and high value urban agriculture crop yields.

  • Tour outstanding projects with the people who designed and manage them, such as the Food Forest at the Javits Center with Ben Flanner, Brooklyn Grange; Charles Ormsby, Naturcycle:  and Dustin Partridge, NYC BirdAlliance; and Little Island, with Steve Cantor. 

  • Take in the new products and services on display at the Trade Show, while networking with manufacturing experts, design, installation and research professionals.

  • Discover a wide range of project case studies from Cook Fox, Hoerr Schaudt, as well as Award Winning projects during our Jeffrey L. Bruce Awards of Excellence presentation.

    We invite you to attend the 20th CitiesAlive Conference from September 30-October 2, 2026 at the Marriott by the Brooklyn Bridge where we have negotiated a fantastic room rate for conference attendees.  

    Click here to book your stay at the Marriott by the Brooklyn Bridge, the conference hotel. 

Click here to stay up to date with CitiesAlive 2026.

Agenda is Under Construction

Thank you to everyone who submitted a presentation or research paper for our conference. We’re currently reviewing all submissions and will reveal our conference agenda shortly. Stay tuned!

Book Your Hotel Now!

CitiesAlive 2026 will be held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, a four-star, Green Key Eco-Rating certified hotel in the heart of Brooklyn. As our host hotel, where we also gathered in 2018, it offers a well located, sustainability-focused stay within walking distance of transit, restaurants, parks, and cultural attractions across New York City.

A special discounted conference rate of $369 USD per night has been secured exclusively for CitiesAlive attendees. Book your room through the official CitiesAlive reservation link or call 888-436-3759 and reference the CitiesAlive Conference 2026 room block.

The discounted rate is available until September 11, 2026, and is subject to availability - so reserve early!

Book now!

Agenda at a Glance

October 1

  • Opening Plenary & Keynote

  • Full Day Concurrent Sessions

  • Full Day Trade Show + Reception and Lunch on the Trade Show Floor

  • Networking Reception

September 30

  • Arrive for CitiesAlive 2026

  • Opening Reception & Keynote

  • Training and Tours

October 2

  • Morning Plenary

  • Concurrent Sessions

  • Trade Show

  • Jeffrey L. Bruce Awards of Excellence Ceremony

  • Closing Plenary

Marketing and Promotional Opportunities

CitiesAlive 2026 offers a unique set of marketing opportunities for you. CitiesAlive 2026 will attract attendees from NYC and across North America, with an estimated attendee count of 400+. CitiesAlive will also provide you with significant logo exposure through our marketing and our partners. Custom sponsorship packages are available!

For more information, contact Eric Durnford, General Manager at GRHC - edurnford@greenroofs.org

Marketing & Promotional Opportunities

New York City at a glance

  • Huge potential - Green roofs only represent 2.25 million square feet (0.15%) of the total roof area in New York City - home to over 1.5 billion square feet of rooftop space.

  • New York City is a global leader in green roof and green infrastructure policy, with laws such as Local Laws 92, 94, and 97, requiring sustainable roofing systems and driving large-scale climate action across the built environment.

  • Around 14% of NYC’s land area is dedicated to parks and open space.

  • The city is home to over 7 million trees, including one of the largest municipal urban forest systems in the world.

  • New Yorkers represent more than 200 languages and cultural backgrounds, making it one of the most diverse cities globally.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

 
 

CitiesAlive is proudly presented by:

 

Association Partners