Regenerative design as a force for change: Thoughtful, optimistic and evolving ideas

The Building Research & Information special issue titled 'Regenerative Design and Development' (2012, volume 40, number 1) describes the evolving theory and practices for this new field. This commentary briefly explores the opportunities and challenges for the advocated changes in the way society conceptualizes the built environment, specifically in the relationship between the built environment, human and ecological systems. In terms of stakeholder participation, it offers a positive view of the future and new potential for forming and maintaining consensus. The regenerative approach provides a new set of principles to guide design excellence and to realign the skills and attributes required of built environment professionals. It will push practitioners' thinking further on natural systems and social, cultural and economic issues, embracing a far wider set of objectives than the 'green building' agenda. The challenges will be how to educate and train the next generation of practitioners: in addition to the current technical skills, expanded capabilities are needed to embrace ecological and human systems; transdisciplinary working and public mediating skills.