227R_Regenerative development and transitions thinking

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Check out the transcript through this link.


Are you interested in regenerative development?


Our summary today works with the chapter titled Regenerative development and transitions thinking from 2018 by Dominique Hes and Lars Coenen, part of the Enabling Eco-cities book, published by Springer.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Dominique Hes in episode 228 talking about regenerative urban development and thinking.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see what regenerative development is. This chapter presents regenerative development as a whole systems approach to make both people and nature stronger, more vibrant and more resilient.

As the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

  1. Regenerative development is a holistic approach that aims to enhance the resilience and vitality of both people and their environments by understanding the unique essence and needs of a place.
  2. Smart Specialisation is a strategy that can operationalize regenerative development by focusing on place-based, participatory, and experimental approaches to foster innovation and economic development.
  3. Successful regenerative development and Smart Specialisation initiatives demonstrate the importance of engaging local stakeholders, building on regional strengths, and adapting to changing circumstances.

Find the article through this link.

Abstract: Regenerative development is a whole systems approach that partners people and their places, working to make both people and nature stronger, more vibrant and more resilient. It aims to increase the vitality, viability and adaptability of a place through understanding its story, its flows and how developing positive relationships enhance the potential of all stakeholders. Key to working regeneratively in an eco-city is understanding the essence of place and what needs to be strengthened to enable adaptation through future change. Smart specialisation is a process through which understandings of the socio-technical potential of the system can seed entrepreneurial opportunities and new positive relationships. When this is broadened to the social-ecological perspective underpinned by regenerative development, it can guide our transition to a thriving eco-city.

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

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