Making Sense of Regenerative Development and Design in the Built Environment
Exploring how Real Estate Projects can Create Net-positive Value for People and Planet
T.C.J. (Thomas) Rothschopf (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.W.F. Wamelink – Mentor (TU Delft - Design & Construction Management)
Michael Peeters – Mentor (TU Delft - Real Estate Management)
T.N. Broekmans – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Urban Design)
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Abstract
Regeneration in the built environment is characterized by going beyond the goal of minimizing environmental harm to become net-zero – or in other words 100% sustainable. It emphasizes the need to create net-positive impacts for the social-ecological system through the process of creating the built environment. The aim of this master thesis is therefore to clearly define regenerative development and regenerative design, as well as to explore which regenerative principles exist and how they can be practically applied throughout a project’s life cycle. The research methodology is a mixed-methods approach, consisting of an extensive literature review and three Dutch case studies of real estate projects. The four research outcomes are: (1) a clear definition of the key terms in the regenerative built environment context, (2) a review and summary of the regenerative principles stated in the existing literature, (3) a framework or guide for the application, assessment and implementation of regenerative principles in practice, and (4) an evaluation of projects in the built environment from a regenerative perspective. The research concludes that the selected projects have regenerative aspects, but realizing fully regenerative projects also requires a mindset shift.