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In 2022, the United Nations Global Biodiversity Framework set forth an ambitious target for “biodiversity-inclusive cities”, recognising the imperative to address biodiversity decline across all sectors, including the built environment. However, the application of this emerging concept remains limited, with few projects directly aligned with the framework’s objectives or timelines necessary for meaningful biodiversity outcomes. To address this limitation this research presents The Paddock, a 27-home regenerative development in southeastern Australia, designed to empower residents in ecological restoration and regeneration efforts. Engagement was initiated through citizen science surveys and a co-design workshop during 2015–2016. As a result, The Paddock seeks to support five focal species’ return via ecosystem-centred design principles. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, the paper documents the design process, ecological decision-making, and the evolving people–nature relationships within the community. Preliminary results indicate the anecdotal return of four targeted species alongside other local fauna. Feedback gathered from residents, combined with insights from the landowner and architect, illustrates that residing in a regenerative environment enhances ecological connections and stewardship tendencies. Ongoing long-term species monitoring will further evaluate the project’s ecological impact. This case study underscores the potential of biodiversity inclusive design (BID) in fostering biodiversity-positive and socially responsive housing developments. Full article

Built environment practitioners currently seek options and opportunities to respond to the biodiversity emergency. Biodiversity Inclusive Design (BID) is an approach to design that seeks to foster functional ecological systems, enable species’ persistence within the built environment and (re) connect people with nature. BID can support designers’ quest toward biodiversity positivity. However, design projects that prioritise biodiversity are sparse and are limited to ad hoc initiatives by individual champions rather than being standard practice. Frameworks providing a structured design process to achieve biodiversity positivity already exist, but they can be difficult to find, compare and navigate. Responding to calls to further develop the concept of Biodiversity Inclusive Design, we systematically analyse 15 design frameworks compatible with BID. We explore how existing design frameworks position biodiversity as a client. For each framework, we uncover the underlying rules, ideas, beliefs, design principles and proposed structure of the design process. Through a thematic analysis, we identify re-emerging concepts and themes underpinning BID. Nested within complementary design frameworks, we conclude by positioning BID as a set of parallel processes that specifically explore biodiversitys’ perspectives (needs, preferences) and how they interact with the socio-ecological system to give a voice to biodiversity within the planning and design process. Our paper formalises BID as a practice and identifies three core dimensions of design action and nine design principles. Full article