Carving a path towards a regenerative future

Key takeaways

• Urban regeneration is at a crossroads. While sustainability has become a baseline expectation, the future lies in regenerative design which seeks to continuously improve the urban environment.

• In order to make this shift happen, many voices need to come together across the spectrum of the built environment – and perhaps most importantly, end users need a seat at the table too.

• The learning process will never end, and by continuing to push boundaries and create long-term value, the industry can build case studies for the holistic benefits of a regenerative approach.

• It’s time to see the beauty in imperfection and reframe what luxury means.

From sustainability to regenerative design

One of the most critical shifts in urban regeneration is moving beyond the notion of sustainability towards a more holistic approach: regenerative design. While sustainability focuses on maintaining the status quo – preserving resources and minimising damage – regenerative design seeks to renew, restore and continuously improve. Throughout the discussion, it was noted that the market often confuses the two terms. The immersion of sustainability into everyday parlance risks turning it into a box-ticking exercise rather than a transformative approach.

It raised a pertinent question – are we at the tipping point for sustainability now that it is expected as a baseline? When thinking about how to affect positive change, the next logical step is regeneration. With this as a guiding principle, the built environment should be designed not just to limit harm but to actively improve the ecosystem and quality of life for its inhabitants. This requires a paradigm shift, focusing on circular processes where buildings and urban spaces contribute to a cycle of renewal.

Long-term value vs. short-term costs

Any change is not without its challenges. A recurring theme during the discussion was how to overcome resistance when balancing long-term value with short-term costs. While some developers are embracing sustainable approaches, many are hesitant to embrace regenerative design due to the higher upfront costs associated with sustainability measures. However, several attendees argued that initial investment can lead to long-term benefits, including higher property values, reduced operational costs and improved tenant retention.

Part of the strategy involves educating clients and stakeholders about financial and social value. The stark truth is that many developers are reluctant to adopt sustainability measures unless there is a clear return on investment. Yet projects that integrate sustainability into their core values and output continue to demonstrate that these measures can lead to increased sales and higher tenant satisfaction. As developers, homeowners and hoteliers begin to see the long-term benefits of these investments, the market can shift and continue to make progress.

Attendees

Sander Versluis Project Director, UNStudio Valerie Mack, Director, Originate Rebecca Trenorden, Director, Versa Studio Michael Welgus, Director, Studio Welgus Ingrid Langtry, Head of Place, Assemble Rossco Karabelas, Director and Co-Founder, Studio Whitenoise Simone Carter, Associate Director, Group GSA Loren Inglis, Regional Business Development Manager, V-ZUG Nic Naes, Managing Director, V-ZUG Aleesha Callahan, Journalist

Educating the market: the need for a cultural shift

One of the key challenges highlighted during the discussion is the need for education at all levels – from developers and clients to the general public. Many stakeholders still view sustainability as a cost rather than an investment, and there is often confusion around terms like “regenerative design,” “adaptive reuse” and the “circular economy.” By simplifying these concepts and making them relatable, we can enact and inspire wider adoption.

Additionally, educating buyers about the benefits of sustainable and regenerative buildings is key to creating demand for these types of spaces. As more people experience the tangible benefits of energy-efficient, sustainable homes – such as lower utility costs and improved indoor air quality – they will begin to demand these features as standard.

The question of whether it’s the responsibility of the government to enforce better design was contentious and received a mixed response. The ultimate sentiment was: “why wait for the government to catch up when we already have the tools?”

Bringing many voices together, as early as possible

The solutions should not rest on the shoulders of just one sector. Instead, it’s clear that the best developments are the ones where multiple thinkers and stakeholders come together, share expertise and collaborate for the best outcome. Unfortunate program cutbacks and reduced timeframes make the need for holistic design more important than ever. By pushing for an integrated methodology that sees designers, architects, consultants, engineers, project managers and developers all coming together as early in the project as possible, we can start to give shape and depth to the built environment. A key takeaway from the session was ensuring that the voices of the end user, as well as marginalised groups, are part of the conversation.

Circular thinking and reframing luxury

The need and desire for adaptive reuse and the principles of the circular economy is more important than ever. Many in the group agreed that buildings should be designed to have a minimal environmental footprint and be capable of being easily adapted or repurposed. While this is the international norm, there is a need for lifecycle thinking to be adopted locally so that it can become best practice for buildings to be upgraded, retrofitted or repurposed without significant environmental impact. In connection with this, there was also a resounding sense that what is deemed “luxury” needs to be reframed. There are buildings in every city around Australia in need of repair – how can they be appreciated and enhanced for the next chapter of their life? Many in the group agreed that there is beauty in materials and objects with history, but the perception of what defines luxury needs to catch up with this mentality.