Building the Regenerative City
Sustainability could become the target=”_blank”>first megatrend of our new century. Cleantechis attracting
target=”_blank”>more venture capital than software or biotech.
Mainstream target=”_blank”>electric cars, big brand biodegradable
cleaners, socially conscious
target=”_blank”>banks…everywhere you look, green is moving
from the outskirts to downtown.
But exactly how
sustainable is
downtown?
Cities are the
primary habitat for most of humanity. And they pack a terrific
carbon punch. Unfortunately, they’re also extremely complex - a
tangled web of logistics, interconnected systems and
decision-making silos. Making them more sustainable is, to put it
mildly, a very difficult job.
That said, mayors
have taken up the task with zeal.
target=”_blank”>An initiative to green North American and
European cities was launched by Seattle mayor Greg Nickels in 2005.
Today, over 950 mayors have signed on, agreeing to do things like
raise their building standards, improve energy efficiency, and
recycle. More significantly, some have agreed to measure their
progress and hold themselves accountable.
enough?
Sustainability
could be regarded as a zero sum game. We want to ensure that our
actions have little, or no impact on our environment.
While this is a
wonderful (and still distant) goal, I believe cities are capable of
much more. Perhaps it’s time we reframe our thinking, and aim
higher.
Imagine building
cities that create abundance. They would include buildings that
generate enough energy to not only power themselves, but pump
energy back into the grid. Businesses that regenerate local wealth.
Social enterprises that regenerate the social capital of our
communities. In other words, interwoven systems that, by virtue of
their design, are capable of creating what we need - and more.
far-fetched or utopian. Elements of it already
exist.
Structures like
the Bank of America tower in Manhattan are proof that
target=”_blank”>self-sufficient buildings are not far off. The
tower generates 65% of its own energy using renewable onsite
sources, and captures much of its own graywater.
target=”_blank”>’Next Generation’ communities like Dockside
Green, meanwhile, bring regeneration home. They treat their own
sewage, with capacity to clean the waste of adjacent communities.
The residences use 45-55% less energy, and 65% less potable
water.
Dockside Green
also incorporates social elements that build a stronger, more
diverse community. By incorporating affordable housing, it creates
a non-homogeneous populace. Multi-use zoning, meanwhile, creates
more pedestrian traffic. And a vigorous stakeholder engagement
program builds a strong sense of belonging and self-reliance.
On the subject of
self-reliance, locally grown food is an important element of
regenerative cities. Urban agriculture, a tenet of the popular
movement, seems an unrealistic goal - unless one considers new
techniques in development, like
farming. Meanwhile, initiatives like Vancouver’s
target=”_blank”>’Backyard Chicken’ policy indicate a shift in
attitude toward ‘working’ yards that can regenerate the food supply
off the supermarket ‘grid’.
together
While the
elements of a regenerative city may exist, a true regenerative city
does not. The hurdle is here is communication and coordination.
Organizations
like target=”_blank”>Sustainable Cities are tackling this challenge
by innovating new ways for cities to communicate their progress,
share best practices, and brainstorm. The organization’s PLUS
network connects more than 40 cities around the world through
exchanges and events.
According to
Sustainable Cities’ Patricia Gordon, the steps in building the
regenerative city are similar to the steps in creating any
higher-functioning organization:
- Establish and
share an ambitious vision - Create a
collaborative, multi-discipline team that is both responsible for
realizing the vision, and enabled with the tools and authority to
carry out the work - Grow and learn
by sharing within your organization, and with other cities on the
same journey - Celebrate
success
takeaway
Perhaps the most
important takeaway for innovators is simply to not settle for
sustainable.
While we have yet
to achieve sustainability, its ‘zero sum’ thinking limits our
creativity, and our ability to inspire stakeholders.
Instead, we
should stretch our heads and aim for more. Regenerative cities may
seem like the stuff of science fiction today. But that’s what they
said about putting a man on the moon.
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