British Science Festival

Event details

UNPOISONING THE LAND

£ 3.00

Add to cart

Organisation:	British Science Association Geology Section
Collaborative organisations:	The Geological Society of London
Date of Event:	Start Date: 19/09/2010 End Date: 19/09/2010
Time of Event:	Start time: 11:00 - End time: 13:00
Sponsors / Supporters:
Event Summary:	The city of Birmingham has long been a focal point for scientific and industrial development. But Birmingham's industrial past has left a legacy of land contamination that presents an ongoing challenge to scientists, local government and members of the public. This event is an opportunity for these sectors to engage in discussion and debate about improving quality of life by 'unpoisoning the land'
Audience level:	3. Everyone
Event Category:	Environment
Keyword:	Policy; weekly pass
Booking information:	Included in weekly pass
Venue:	MB549, Aston University

Event Agenda

19/09/2010 11:00 - 11:10	Welcome and introduction Professor John Tellam - University of Birmingham	Welcome / Introduction
	Cities pollute the subsurface. Pollutants are immobilized, or taken up by plants, or evaporated, or will move, taken by water flows through the ground to emerge, after periods of up to centuries, in wells, springs, or rivers. In this session we provide a platform for examining contamination in the context of Birmingham, with specialists from industry, the regulator, and universities.

19/09/2010 11:10 - 11:20	Poisoned land – Birmingham's unwanted legacy Professor Paul Nathanail - Managing Director, Land Quality Management Ltd	Talk
	Geology provided the raw ingredients for Birmingham's growth; its people provided the intellect and energy. Birmingham's industrial past left it with a rich legacy of infrastructure, civic buildings, and a thriving population. However it also left behind contamination - the dirty footprint of uncontrolled waste disposal, industrial accidents and no longer acceptable practices.

19/09/2010 11:20 - 11:40	Birmingham's contamination, issues, and policy Dr John Davis - Environment Agency	Talk
	The Environment Agency has a role in dealing with historical, & preventing new, contamination, using different regulatory vehicles and promoting our Groundwater Protection Policy & Best Practice. Industrial activity in Birmingham has left a legacy of soil & groundwater contamination, & examples will be given of the common contaminants encountered & difficulties associated with their clean up.

19/09/2010 11:40 - 12:00	Clean Up Technology in Birmingham Dr Kevin Shepherd - URS Corporation Ltd	Talk
	A range of technologies are available to tackle Birmingham’s contaminated land legacy. These are enabling us to remediate the land such that it no longer poses risks to surface or subsurface environments, thus permitting its on-going development. Past, present and future land users, and the geology below, all affect our choice of remediation technology.

19/09/2010 12:00 - 12:20	Underground Construction in Birmingham Dr Ian Jefferson - University of Birmingham	Talk
	Increasing urban populations place ever greater demands on infrastructure. With over ground space becoming increasingly dense, attention is now turning in many global cities, including Birmingham, to the subsurface. Development of underground space must be sustainable and resilient, a considerable challenge - solutions provided today must be future proof to meet the requirements of tomorrow.

19/09/2010 12:20 - 12:30	Recycled land - foundation of Birmingham's sustainable future Professor Paul Nathanail - Managing Director, Land Quality Management Ltd	Talk
	Birmingham is England's 2nd city; a city with global reach. This is a lasting effect of the industrial past but not a right. Successful cities use their land & sub surface wisely. Birmingham’s geology will be the foundation on which its people build their future. Will Birmingham continue to foster urban spaces where people can create social & intellectual capital to secure tomorrow's success?

19/09/2010 12:30 - 13:00	Discussion Professor John Tellam - University of Birmingham	General Discussion
	An audience-lead discussion taking up the issues raised by the speakers.

<< back