Where Shade Hits the Pavement Conference 2026 - Sydney
Event description
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.
The event is proudly brought to you by
Australia’s biggest green::blue urban infrastructure conference is returning to Sydney in 2026, and it promises to be our best event yet.
Unique thought leadership presentations - learn how to remove barriers and create pathways to greener, cooler, more livable cities.
Q&A panel discussions - your burning questions answered
Case studies - lessons to be learned
Networking opportunities - with 200 delegates from local government, developers, landscape architects, civil and stormwater engineers, arborists, and more
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!
Hear what attendees, speakers and sponsors had to say about the 2025 Where Shade Hits the Pavement conference in Melbourne.
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.
30% Off Early Bird Discount - $412.30 when you register to attend by 31 January 2026.
Full Price Tickets - $589
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.
2026 Presenters and Sponsors to be Announced Soon!
Take a look back at the 2025 Presenters in Melbourne
Where Shade Hits the Pavement 2025 brought together ecology, science, design, livability, engineering, resource management, economics, strategy, planning and development.
With the conference being held in the Manningham local government area, we were delighted to have Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante deliver the Opening Address and Acknowledgement of Country.
Access the full 2025 conference program, agenda and speaker bios here.
2026 Conference Timeline
Registration/Tea/Coffee | Speaker Presentations | Networking/Drinks |
8:00am - 8:45am | 9:00am - 5:00pm (includes breaks/meals) | 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Early Bird Tickets Receive 30% Discount - Register Now to Secure Your Seat!
For event queries, please contact info@citygreen.com.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
