Integrating Ecological Knowledge into Regenerative Design: A Rapid Practice Review

Jane Toner (), Cheryl Desha, Kimberley Reis, Dominique Hes and Samantha Hayes
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Jane Toner: Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
Cheryl Desha: Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
Kimberley Reis: Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
Dominique Hes: Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
Samantha Hayes: Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-29

Abstract: While sustainable design practice is working to reduce the ecological impacts of development, many of the earth’s already damaged life support systems require repair and regeneration. Regenerative design theory embraces this challenge using an ecological worldview that recognizes all life as intertwined and interdependent to deliver restorative outcomes that heal. Central to regenerative design theory is the mutually beneficial and coevolving ‘stewardship’ relationship between community and place, the success of which requires local ecological knowledge. However, there is a lack of understanding about how—within the design process—practitioners are integrating ‘innate knowledge’ of place held by local people. This rapid practice review sought to collate and evaluate current ‘regenerative design practice’ methods towards ensuring good practice in the integration of place-based ecological knowledge. A comprehensive online search retrieved 345 related articles from the grey literature, academic book chapters, and government reports, from which 83 articles were analyzed. The authors conclude that regenerative design practice is emergent, with the design practice of including community knowledge of ecological systems of place remaining ad hoc, highly variable, and champion-based. The findings have immediate implications for regenerative design practitioners, researchers, and developers, documenting the state of progress in methods that explore innate ecological knowledge and foster co-evolving ecological stewardship.

Keywords: regenerative design; place-based; built environment; urban ecology; ecological wisdom; living systems; co-evolution; rapid practice review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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