Integrating Living Systems - 'sustainability' as It Is Practiced Is Only Half the Story

Sustainability, as currently practiced, is primarily an exercise in efficiency. In other words, through the use of LEED and other rating systems we are attempting to slow down the damage caused by excessive use of resources. Can we do better? The simple answer is we must do better. This requires us to shift our thinking and consciousness. Instead of doing less damage TO the environment, it is necessary to shift our practice world-view to one that asks how we can participate WITH the environment – using the health of ecological systems in our Places as the basis for design. By doing so, the potential for green design moves us beyond sustaining the environment to one that can regenerate its health – as well as our own physical and spiritual well-being.

This is a design process and philosophy that strives to improve the quality of life in buildings and communities by using the health of ecological systems as a basis for design. This process builds in continuing evolution using the self-organizing capacity of living systems (cultural and natural) to heal and regenerate ecosystems in a self-reinforcing network. In other words: Life has the self-organizing capacity to deal with degenerated situations, if we participate in it. This process is not just about assembling the additional expertise of ecological systems scientists and organizational learning facilitators; it's how the people work in relationship to gain a deep understanding of Place– the human, technical, natural systems, and emotional bonds that make each place unique.

The process of regenerative design requires a new attitude and skill sets to be embraced in strategic planning, community planning, and design. This presentation will address the concepts supporting regenerative planning and the practical process that is required to start us on the path of rethinking design. Case studies will be used to illustrate the design process, with specific focus on water, materials and energy efficiency. The presentation will cover both commercial and industrial applications of regenerative design.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to explain the differences between a conventional and a regenerative design process and be able to apply that understanding to their own projects and project teams.

• Participants will be able to engage in dialogue about the relevance of regenerative design to their own practice and to the chemical engineering profession as a whole.

• Participants will understand how to develop relationships between living things and the built environment in order to achieve and maintain “sustainability”.

• Participants will be able to name three essential aspects that serve as a basis for creating a regenerative relationship with place.

• Participants will be able to reflect on and appraise the best and most practical way to integrate more systemic processes into their existing design approach.