1.1 Project report

Design for Regenerative Sustainability: Perceptual Innovation, Health and Wellbeing.

Only by understanding that caring for the planet, people caring for themselves; humanity can become o conscious healing force of any environment (Wahl, 2016).

Urban expansion and world population are exploding irreversible, followed by the fastest technological development in human history, leading to growing disconnection from nature. This has severe consequences relating to climate change and the quality of human health and wellbeing. Sustainability enjoys great popularity as one of the answers to climate change threats. The sustainable design aims to maintain systems without their degradation except considering the far-reaching effects of healthy human culture, living in harmony with nature. At the same time, regenerative practices apply management techniques to restore the system for long term prosperity and better productivity. My project report analysis reveals the interdependent connection between nature, community, health, wellness and economy, where failure in a single system leads to the deterioration of one another. Well-functioning ecosystems provide us with food security, clean air and water, support the elimination of certain diseases, and stabilise the climate. That is why my thesis state that sustainability is not sufficient as a single goal, and doing less damage is unequal to reverse the negative environmental impact contributed to such a vast scale. To stay responsible and resilient in the face of change, humanity needs a global shift of perception and reaching far beyond sustainable development with awareness of interdependency between man and nature. Regenerative culture focuses on collective economic, environmental, and social evolution by introducing changes in all three sustainable development pillars with a long-term effect. Sustainable, regenerative landscape design in the context of Leeds Innovation District has the opportunity to become an example of a Biophilic city and a welcoming hub empowering social collaboration. Extension of green areas, restoration of natural ecosystems in developed places, and rich biodiversity will improve residents’ health and well-being and raise pro-environmental awareness of the growing graduate society in Leeds. The regenerative vision of the district will also meet all existing challenges of Leeds and provide a strong foundation for a rebalanced circular economy with a strong relationship between community and nature.

No change scenario

Uncertain and Inconvenient future. (Own illustration)

Regenerative future scenario

Regenerative implementations into all pillars of sustainable development (Triple bottom line) (Own illustration)