Regenerative Design in Architecture and Construction: The Challenges–Methods–Achievements

Dear Colleagues,

We are predatory consumers of ecosystem services. However, we do not want to be passive observers of the critical state of natural resources, the state of ecology, progressing climate change, and the increase in pollution. The need to heal the socio-ecological system is visible in various programs, such as: UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, EU response to the climate crisis (New European Bauhaus), reports or actions such as “Built for the Environment” (RIBA), “Architecture 2030” (AIA), “Renovation Wave” (EU), the concept of “Ego-Eco-Seva” (IPBES), and others.

Today, at the time of the Great Acceleration, it can be seen that, unfortunately, production cycles based on the one-way flow of materials and energy push societies (on all continents) to the brink of environmental breakdown. Sustainable development has been redefined. The previous canon of “recycle, reduce and reuse” has been updated to “restore, renew and replenish”. This approach corresponds to a new paradigm of improving the built environment—regenerative design. This is an important stage in the roadmap of designing:

From conventional practice, green buildings, sustainable design (degenerating—reducing impact) to restorative design, regenerative design (regenerating—positive impact). Therefore, regenerative design "gives back".

Regenerative design takes into account restore ecosystems and aims to foster the development of human and natural ecosystems. It entails a change in thinking, a change in design. It requires a holistic approach, namely, integrated design (IPD). Regenerative design specifically requires and uses a high level of scientific discoveries and biology that is not found in conventional design.

We cannot reject the heritage of the previous stages, but designers and decision makers need to broaden their horizons. The new challenge requires in-depth knowledge of many areas, it even requires the involvement of various specialists and appropriate tools, new research methods, guidelines and design strategies.

Solutions with regenerative potential already exist. We welcome others to share their experiences. An example list of topics is given in the Keywords. Articles that only create visions of utopias and dystopias will be unwelcome. Your contribution will support the designers, and will be a potential to be used by the local government, and business on the way to positive development. Of course, interdisciplinary and international collaborations are encouraged for this Topic.

Prof. Dr. Oleg Kapliński
Prof. Dr. Agata Bonenberg
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Bonenberg
Prof. Dr. Leonas Ustinovičius
Topic Editors