Cole, R J (2023) Transition to a regenerative future: A question of time. Buildings & Cities, 4(1), pp. 457-474. ISSN 2632-6655
Abstract
This paper explores the difference between the ways that nature functions and the way that the built environment is currently produced and operates, and if and how they can be realigned. While regenerative approaches can apply to a range of human enterprises, the paper focuses on their application to the production of the urban built environment. It examines if and how they may move into mainstream building practice and how long this may take given the inherent inertias in the building industry. Key issues include the recasting and interrogating of the accumulated knowledge held by design professionals within a broader living systems frame, and rethinking what constitutes a successful outcome of building design. Such efforts are set against the diminishing time available before a series of climate tipping points are crossed and further short-to mid-term constraints posed by a host of other powerful countervailing forces.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | agency; buildings; built environment; climate crisis; living systems; professional practice; regenerative practice; timeframes; transition; urban sustainability |
| Index terms: | built environment, building industry, building practice, professional practice, agency, building design |
| Subjects: | architectural design, building construction, sociology, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, professional development |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Information Management, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here