Humans are part of nature, yet we are most unusual in the natural world. In our brief time on this ancient Earth, we’ve become one of the most influential species in its history with the extraordinary ability to alter our planet’s systems.

These extractive human activities are pushing us beyond the limits of Earth’s capacity to regulate against shocks and stresses and to support all life. As the most influential species, we have an ethical and ecological responsibility to leverage our position and to participate in the natural system in a positive, reinforcing way.

In our report 'Regenerative Design: towards living in harmony with nature' we explore:

  • How we can restore and regenerate planetary health through our interactions with natural systems when designing cities, neighbourhoods, and buildings.
  • How we can maximise the tangible social and community benefits of regenerative approaches to designing in the built environment.
  • How to apply the three guiding principles to build a regenerative future, shift perspectives and catalyse activity to achieve positive outcomes for people and planet.

Regenerative design is about the pathway to a world where human and natural systems coexist and coevolve in harmony.

Josef Hargrave

Global Foresight Leader, Arup

Principles of regenerative design

Our report presents three complementary design principles that we can adopt to move towards a regenerative future.

  1. 1

    Nature-led

    Place-based design that enhances and emulates natural systems.

  2. 2

    Systemic

    Relationships, exchanges and flows of materials and resources that restore, protect and replenish.

  3. 3

    Equitable

    Collective change, co-creation and collaboration that ensure inclusivity and social justice.

Regenerative design in action

Habitat Royale
Habitat Royale - is a proposal for a residential building in Amsterdam featuring several nature-first principles. Considered to provide more biodiversity than it removes it also aims to be energy positive. The building design has been optimised to find maximum synergy between energy, daylight, and ecology whilst the façade aims to provide habitat for specific species, depending on orientation and height. The current proposal includes provision for seven microhabitats for flora and fauna.
Kalundborg Symbiosis
Kalundborg Symbiosis - is a partnership built around sharing surpluses within the system. The industries located on the campus operate us circular approaches both within their own operations as well as across industries. Businesses coordinate energy, water, material, and waste loops across the campus, to reduce resource use, waste generation and achieve on-campus closed loop systems.
Whanganui River
Whanganui River claims settlement - campaigning efforts by the local Iwi (tribe) has resulted in the New Zealand government recognising an “indivisible and living whole comprising the Whanganui River from the mountains to the sea, incorporating … its physical and metaphysical elements. Te Awa Tupua will also be recognised as a legal person.” The act is focused on long-term protection of the river, including a settlement of $80 million to restore its health.

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Complete the registration to learn more about how we can restore planetery health through better interactions with natural systems, we we can maximise the benefits for communities and how to apply the three guiding principles to build a regenerative future.

Regenerative design blur