WHERE SHADE HITS THE PAVEMENT is a green::blue urban infrastructure conference that brings thought leaders and practitioners together to align innovation, best practice and policy for greener, cooler, more livable cities.

This event is proudly brought to you by

What to Expect

Australia’s premier green::blue urban infrastructure conference is returning to Sydney in 2026, and it promises to be our best event yet.

Fresh Perspectives & New Strategies - unique thought leadership presentations that seek to remove barriers and provide pathways to greener, cooler, more liable cities.
How to Overcome Objections - learn how to overcome project, policy and budget challenges to create meaningful green space in our cities and suburbs.
Case Studies as Frameworks - real world examples of design innovation in projects that are achieving results sooner.
Q&A Panel Discussions - your burning questions answered in 3 x panel sessions throughout the day
Discover the Benefits of Green & Blue Integration - evolve your understanding of stormwater management and how trees are the key to $aving million$.
Demystifying Urban Heat Strategies - not all green is created equal. From species selection, to planting methods and soil types - you'll get an essentials framework for urban cooling.
Canopy Cover Reality Check - 2030 and 2050 Net Zero targets are coming! We’ll take stock of canopy cover progress and failures and gain insights about how to get back on track.
Exclusive immersive place making exhibition experience!

Delegates will enjoy a special bonus this year. Thanks to our partnership with the Art Gallery of NSW, Where Shade Hits the Pavement 2026 will close with an exclusive networking event that extends the conversations of the day into an extraordinary, immersive place making exhibition.

Where Ideas, Artistry, and Community Converge

When the conference concludes, you will be invited into the Tank - an underground WWII naval fuel bunker beneath the Art Gallery NSW that has been transformed into over 2,000sqm of immersive exhibition space.

Within its raw concrete walls and pillars, you’ll experience Mike Hewson’s remarkable exhibition, The Key’s Under the Mat, brought to life with salvaged recycled and recyclable materials, reborn into a full-scale playground and commons. Delegates will enjoy the rare opportunity to hear directly from the artist, while also invited to treat the space as their own - climb, swing, explore, eat, drink, and connect with fellow attendees in an environment designed for play, discovery and connection.

Citygreen are proud to be the major sponsor of this bold exhibition, which has been built upon a foundation of 100% recycled and recyclable Stratavault soil cells. This is not just another networking session. It is a celebration of ideas, artistry, and community, and a fitting close to a conference dedicated to improving the livability outcomes in our urban communities.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a unique and inspiring event that is redefining the future of our cities!

2026 Conference Timeline

Activity	Time
Registration/Tea/Coffee	8:00am - 8:45am
Speaker Presentations	9:00am - 5:15pm (includes breaks/meals)
Networking/Drinks	5:30pm - 6:30pm

Cost to Attend

Where Shade Hits the Pavement is a conference event designed to make a difference, not a profit.

There are no advertisers or expo booths, just a focus on issues and methods to overcome them.

Full Price Tickets - $589
Group discounts:
- 15% discount available for groups of 3-4 people.
- 20% discount available for groups of 5-10 people.

Who Should Attend?

Local Government planners, designers, arborists, engineers and policy makers - this event will challenge your city standards and provide a pathway for better outcomes for your communities.
Landscape Architects - AILA members will receive 6 CPD points for attending. Expect to be inspired and receive practical examples relevant to the project challenges you frequently encounter.
Civil & Stormwater Engineers - this event will give you practical examples for the integration of green, blue and grey infrastructure for better outcomes.
Property Developers - this event will show you how to use green infrastructure for greater profitability.
Academics & Students - this event is where theory and application come together to challenge BAU.

Highlights from 2025

Hear what attendees, speakers and sponsors had to say about the 2025 Where Shade Hits the Pavement conference in Melbourne.

Early Bird Registration closed.

15-20% group discounts available via button below.

For event queries, please contact info@citygreen.com.

Contact the host of Where Shade Hits the Pavement Conference 2026 - Sydney