Journal article
Regenerative urbanism: a causal layered analysis
Foresight, Vol.25(4), pp.502-515
2023
Abstract
Purpose:
This paper aims to analyse both traditional and regenerative fields across four layers, litany, systems, worldviews and myth/metaphor. It aims to provide in-depth insight into the beliefs, values epistemologies and assumptions that scaffold thinking and practice. As a result of this analysis, future implications for regenerative urban practice are also considered.
Design/methodology/approach:
Prevailing sustainability approaches seek to mitigate further harm in urban centres by increasing efficiency and minimising resource consumption and impact. They are primarily underpinned by a reductionist worldview that separates human objectives from those of the natural world. In contrast, regenerative approaches to urban sustainability have emerged out of an ecological worldview and aim to achieve net positive outcomes as a result of co-evolutionary relationships between social and ecological systems. This paper explores both approaches in urban communities through futures thinking tool, causal layered analysis.
Findings:
As a result of the causal layered analysis undertaken, this paper provides insights into regenerative thinking and practice in urban settings. These insights cover four main thematic categories: purpose, place, practice and progress. Moving to the deeper layers of worldview and myth metaphor analysis, in particular, has significant implications for ongoing practice, including facilitating processes by which communities can reflect upon, unpack and reconstruct their concepts of future “success”.
Originality/value:
Anthropogenic climate change continues to deliver worsening ecological, social and economic impacts globally. Urban centres are particularly central to this crisis given their massive resource consumption and rapid population growth. This paper provides an alternative, deep analysis to consider thinking and practice required for urban regeneration. It reveals the need for a shift in purpose and a deeper understanding of place, illustrating the roles that futures tools may place in this transition.
Details
- Title
- Regenerative urbanism: a causal layered analysis
- Authors
- Kimberly Camrass (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
- Publication details
- Foresight, Vol.25(4), pp.502-515
- Publisher
- Emerald Publishing Limited
- DOI
- 10.1108/FS-11-2021-0227
- ISSN
- 1465-9832
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Social Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99640275802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
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- Regional & Urban Planning
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