Towards a Regenerative Future: Understanding Practical Implementation, Research, and Benchmarking in the Built Environment

Abstract

The 73rd Session of the United Nations in 2019 marked a pivotal moment, emphasising the urgent need for sustainable development to avert irreversible climate change impacts within a mere 11 years. Vulnerable communities have been experiencing food security and ecosystem crises since the 1990s, and the IPCC predicts that environmental damage will lead to 200 million permanent displacements by 2050. Built environment professionals such as those in architecture and construction carry a moral obligation to act as critical agents of systemic change, driving the study’s investigation into “Regenerative Design” with a focus on practical implementation, application, research, and benchmarking. The study conducted a comprehensive search and scoping review of peer-reviewed literature and an industry-specific audience poll at a built-environment professional summit. The findings reveal an inconsistent application and limited comprehension of “regenerative” among industry professionals. The study poll of key stakeholders in the Australian built environment context, accentuates the lack of consensus surrounding regenerative design’s definition. This research contributes to interdisciplinary knowledge, bridging domains of education, design, construction, planning, urban development, and policy. It underscores the need for more extensive research and highlights the absence of consensus in defining regenerative design. By shedding light on these aspects, the study aims to galvanise collective action and foster transformative change towards a sustainable future.