Regenerative Built Environments

As cities grow and demands increase, continuing to build is unavoidable. Continuing to build in the same way, however, is not. This book challenges the dangerous trajectory of extractive, growth-centred practices of the built environment industry and calls for a fundamental rethinking of how and why we build, and who ultimately benefits. It shows how the built environment can be reshaped to generate lasting ecological, social and cultural value. Drawing on robust practical evidence and real-world examples, this book demonstrates that regenerative built environments are not only possible, but necessary. It offers a holistic framework for accelerating this transition and invites the industry to step up its responsibility in delivering a future that is healthy, resilient and thriving.

This book provides a compass for regenerative development practitioners. The “why” we should develop like this is clear, but the “how” is complex. With illuminating case studies, synthesis of existing frameworks and novel thinking, each chapter demystifies the process. I loved that the authors surfaced the influence of personal values and the internal frames of reference that guide each of us. Combining industry and academic knowledge with individual interiority is a game changer.- Laura Hamilton O’Hara, Chief Executive Officer, Living Future Oceania.

Dr William Craft is a Senior Research Associate at UNSW’s School of Built Environment, Australia, working primarily within the High Performance Architecture Research Cluster.

Scientia Professor Deo Prasad AO is the current CEO of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub based at UNSW Sydney and the past CEO of the CRC for Low Carbon Living Australia.

Dr Lan Ding is an Associate Professor at UNSW’s School of Built Environment, Australia, and the Convenor of the High Performance Architecture Research Cluster.