Regenerative and Generative Urbanism Concepts

Regenerative Urbanism

• Regenerative urbanism is a concept that focuses on the idea of reversing the negative impacts of urban development.
• It aims to create cities that are sustainable and can regenerate themselves.
• This includes concepts like regenerative urban design, regenerative urban development, and the regenerative city.
• The notion of "regenerative" suggests a move beyond simply minimizing negative environmental and social impacts.

Issues with "Regenerative"

• The concept of regenerative urbanism may not be the most innovative approach for transforming contemporary cities.
• It can be seen as simply countering the footprint of a city rather than fully exploring the potential of urban environments.

Generative Urbanism

• Generative urbanism proposes a shift to creating cities that are "net-positive," meaning they generate more than they consume.
• This includes concepts like "net-zero energy" and "net-positive energy," where cities aim to achieve energy independence or even surplus.
• It encourages expanding the focus beyond energy and carbon to encompass other issues and create surplus in various domains.

Considerations for Generative Urbanism

• Blindspots: Be aware of limitations and biases in our understanding of cities.
• Public Space: We need to better understand the complex functions of public spaces in urban environments.
• Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up: Neither top-down planning nor bottom-up approaches alone are sufficient for designing effectively.
• Negotiation & Design: Design and negotiation must be intertwined processes. Waiting to design after negotiation can lead to delays and difficulties.
• City is not Everything: While cities are a significant aspect of human civilization, they are not the sole focus. The countryside and suburbs have important roles to play in a sustainable future.
• Urban Paradox: Cities, despite their benefits, face challenges. The historical interdependence of cities with agriculture and industry is often absent in modern, highly urbanized societies. We need to critically assess the reasons for our focus on cities.

Planner's Triangle and Doughnut Economy

• The Planner's Triangle (Campbell 1996) emphasizes the need to balance environmental, economic, and social considerations in urban planning.
• The Doughnut Economy (Raworth 2012) proposes a framework for well-being that seeks to meet the needs of all citizens while staying within the ecological limits of the planet.