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The
Wood Report
- Plants for People
How to enhance productivity and to reduce short term absence due to
illness.
This
symposium will be held at the International Horticultural
Exhibition Floriade 2002 on the 14th June, reporting on
case histories and research results from Australia. Germany,
Holland, Norway and the USA, showing that introducing plants in
the workplace results in improved well being, enhanced
productivity and a reduction in absenteeism.
In addition,
the conference will comprise an in-depth look at examples from
everyday practice that show that investment in 'Interior Planting'
yields many times its worth and that inclusion of 'Interior
Planting' at the design stage results in structural energy savings
and a better indoor air quality.
From
an occupational health and economic perspective the symposium is
of direct interest to architects, facility managers, government
agencies, health insurance companies, human resource managers,
occupational health and safety advisors project developers and
trade unions, among others.
The
symposium will be chaired by Professor Roger Ulrich, Professor of
Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Texas A & M
University and Director of the Centre for Health Systems and
Design. He is well known for his studies that show the human
effects of viewing plants and gardens include improved emotional
and physical well-being.
International
keynote speakers include architect Dieter Schempp who has
developed the concept of 'Green Solar Architecture' and designed
and constructed many successful buildings. His presentation is
"Green Architecture", Plants in Buildings, The Cycle of
Nature, Creating an Inspiring, Healthy Indoor Climate.
Professor
Kathleen Wolf of the Centre for Urban Horticulture, University of
Washington has expertise in landscape design, environmental
planning and the psycho-social aspects of urban ecosystems
"Retail and Urban Nature: Creating a Consumer Habitat".
"The effects
of healthy workplaces on well-being and productivity of office
workers" is the interesting presentation of John Bergs, MSc.,
who has wide experience as an environmental engineer in buildings,
sustainability and is chairman of the Association of Integrated
Biological Architecture.
Dr. Tove
Fjeld, who has expertise in interior plantscape as a lecturer,
researcher and consultant will present " The effects of
plants and artificial daylight, on the health and well-being of
office workers, school children and health-care personnel"
Dr. Ronald
Wood, Research Associate with the Plants and Environmental Quality
Group at the University of Technology, Sydney, is a professional
horticulturist with 30 years experience in indoor plant production
and interior plantscaping. He will present "Plant/soil
capacities to remove harmful substances from polluted indoor
air"
The Flower
Council of Holland have brought together this group of experts
because they believe that unless the many benefits of plants are
presented and continue to be promoted, they will have a declining
volume of plant sales. Hard to believe when the famous Aalsmeer
Flower Auction (one of four in Holland operated on behalf of
growers) sell one million potted plants and ten million flowers
each day (five days per week).
These
issues are itemised elsewhere in this newsletter for the indoor
plantscape industry.
Members of
the National Interior Plantscape Association can look forward to a
full report on this important Symposium later in the year.
Dr Ronald
Wood, NIPA |
