Partnering with Nature - In Search of Regenerative Approaches in Urban Environments
Katri Einola Master’s esis Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability Department of Design School of Arts, Design and Architecture Aalto University 2020
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Katri Jenni So a Einola Master’s thesis for Master of Arts, 30 ECTS Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability Department of Design School of Arts, Design and Architecture Aalto University 2020
Supervisor: Eeva Berglund (Department of Design) Advisors: Aija Sta ans (Department of Built Environment, Department of Architecture) Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen (Department of Built Environment)
Visual design and diagrams © Katri Einola if not mentioned otherwise.
3 Taiteen maisterin opinnäytteen tiivistelmä Aalto-yliopisto, PL 11000, 00076 AALTO www.aalto.f
Tekijä: Katri Einola Työn nimi: Luonto kumppanina - Etsimässä uudistavia lähestymistapoja kaupunkisuunnittelussa Laitos: Muotoilun laitos Koulutusohjelma: Creative Sustainability Vuosi: 2020 Sivumäärä: 109 Kieli: englanti Avainsanat: uudistava suunnittelu, uudistava kehitys, kaupunkiympäristö, sosioekologiset järjestelmät, kaupunkisuunnittelu, urbaani ekologia, urbaani metabolismi
Tiivistelmä Ihmisen toiminta viime vuosisatojen aikana, maailmanlaajuisen väestönkasvun ja kaupungistumisen lisäksi, on johtanut rajuihin muutoksiin sosioekologisissa järjestelmissä, aiheuttaen laajoja kestävyyshaasteita. Kaupungit kasvavina elinympäristöinä voivat toimia positiivisen muutoksen välineinä ja alustoina, kun taas luonto voi tarjota tietoa ja inspiraatiota suunnittelustrategioille ja -ratkaisuille. Tämä opinnäytetyö esittelee uudistavan suunnittelun perustaksi tulevaisuuden kaupunkikehitykselle, jossa kestävyydellä tarkoitetaan nettopositiivista symbioosia ihmisten ja luonnon välillä.
Koska kyseessä on nouseva ilmiö, opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena on luoda selkeämpi käsitys uudistavan suunnittelun ja kehityksen käsitteistä kirjallisuuskatsauksen avulla. Sen lisäksi työ yrittää yhdistää uudistavan suunnittelun ajatukset ekologiseen kaupunkisuunnitteluun paikallistaen elementtejä, strategioita ja käytäntöjä, jotka voisivat tukea ja parantaa uudistavaa kaupunkikehitystä. Käytännön tasolla työssä tarkastellaan, löytyykö nykyisestä Helsingin kaupunkisuunnittelusta merkkejä uudistavasta suunnittelusta. Menetelmänä on käytetty tapaustutkimusta, jossa uutta Kruunuvuorenrannan aluetta tarkastellaan asiakirja-analyysin ja laadullisten teemahaastattelujen avulla.
Vaikka Helsingin nykyisessä kaupunkisuunnittelussa hyödynnetään useita yksittäisiä uudistavan suunnittelun käytäntöjä, tutkimus osoitti, että sitoutuminen kestävyyteen kokonaisuutena tarvitsee vahvistusta useilla eri tasoilla. Vaikka kaavoituksen, suunnittelun ja rakentamisen parissa vaikuttavat toimijat olivat halukkaita tukemaan kestävää kehitystä toiminnassaan, yhteinen yhteiskunnallinen tavoite ja soveltuvat ratkaisut puuttuvat. Lisäksi kehityshankkeiden organisaatiot ja prosessit eivät ole viritetty kestävän kehityksen tavoitteluun, ja kokonaisvaltainen näkökulma puuttuu. Kaiken kaikkiaan, uudistavan kehityksen suurimpana haasteena näyttää olevan ajattelutavan muutos.
Opinnäytetyö osallistuu vallitsevaan kestävän kaupunkikehityksen keskusteluun yrittäen tunnistaa, miten sitä voisi tukea, vahvistaa ja nostaa uudistavalle tasolle. Lisäksi se tuo uudistavan suunnittelun ajatuksia kaupunkisuunnitteluun nostaen rimaa sille, mitä pidämme kestävinä ratkaisuina, samalla mahdollisesti käynnistäen uusia keskusteluita ja toimia.
4 Master of Arts thesis abstract Aalto University, P.O. BOX 11000, 00076 AALTO www.aalto.f
Author: Katri Einola Title of thesis: Partnering with Nature – In search of regenerative approaches in urban environments Department: Department of Design Degree programme: Creative Sustainability Year: 2020 Number of pages: 109 Language: English Keywords: regenerative design, regenerative development, urban environment, social-ecological systems, urban planning and design, urban ecology, urban metabolism
Abstract Human actions in the past centuries, along with global population growth and urbanization, have caused drastic changes in social-ecological systems, resulting in extensive sustainability challenges. Cities, as major living environments for people, can act as vehicles and platforms for positive change, while nature could provide knowledge and inspiration for design strategies and applications. This thesis presents the framework of regenerative design as the basis for future urban development in which sustainability could be re-imagined to a net-positive symbiosis between humans and nature.
Being an emergent phenomenon, the thesis focuses on creating a clearer understanding of the concepts of regenerative design and development through a literature review. It also tries to interlink the ideas of regenerative design into urban ecological planning and design by locating elements, strategies, and approaches that could support and enhance regenerative urban development. On the practical level, the thesis examines if implications of regenerative design exist in the scene of urban planning and design in Helsinki through a case study with document analysis and qualitative thematic interviews focused on the development of Kruunuvuorenranta district.
Although several regenerative approaches were recognized and supported, the study showed that the commitment to choose sustainability over other goals needs enhancing at different levels. While the actors involved in planning, designing, and constructing the City of Helsinki were keen to enforce sustainability efforts, there is a lack of common goal and applicable actions. Also, the organizations and processes of the development projects are not tuned for reaching sustainability and a holistic approach is needed. Overall, a mindset change required for regenerative development seems to be the greatest obstacle.
The thesis contributes to the prevailing discussion of sustainable urban development, trying to recognize how it could be supported, enhanced, and elevated to a regenerative one. It also introduces the ideas of regenerative design into urban design discourse, positively raising the bar of what we consider as sustainable and possibly initiating further discussion and actions.
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TERMINOLOGY
e following list introduces the main terminology of the Regenerative design: A process-oriented way of thesis, aiming to set a common ground in what is meant designing systems in partnership with nature. Its with each term. e de nitions are based on my own strategies include eco-literacy, focus on positive health understanding of the term and how I will use them in the and wellbeing, place-based thinking, co-evolution, whole context of this thesis. systems approach, and ecological worldview.
Social-ecological systems: Complex and dynamic Urban planning1: A technical and political process of systems between planet’s biosphere and humans, including planning the urban structures for developmental purposes economic, political, cultural, and technological aspects of based on the long-term strategies of the city. humanity and accompanying the ecological one.
Urban design1: An interdisciplinary process and Urban ecology: A eld of study for ecosystems in urban outcome of designing and shaping the physical urban environments, merging ideas from natural sciences, environment (infrastructure, public space, landscape, planning, and social sciences. It aims to understand the transport, and communal facilities) through land use urban ecosystems and their resources in di erent scales of planning, envisioning, and building of an urban area time and space as well as from multiple viewpoints. in di erent scales. Urban design creates localities for people to live and engage with each other and the Urban metabolism: A framework for understanding surrounding place. the di erent streams, ows, and interactions of energy, resources, and elements (physical and social) between the Sustainable development: “…development that meets global environment and cities, needed to create a healthy the needs of the present without compromising the ability living environment. of future generations to meet their own needs.” (original de nition from the Brundtland report, 1978), advocating Nature-based solutions (NBSs): Design solutions the economic progress through e cient resource (often used in urban design) mimicking natural processes consumption in long-term. and take into account the dynamics of social-ecological systems within technical systems, while creating self- Regenerative development: A holistic approach to organization, resilience, and complexity. sustainability between culture, built environment, and the natural world, guided by land use and advancing for mutually supportive, symbiotic, and positive relationship between humans and nature.
1 Note that in Finnish language and context, there is no separate terms for urban planning and urban design but both aspects are combined within one word ‘kaupunkisuunnittelu’. Therefore, in this thesis I often use the terms together as ‘urban planning and design’.
7 TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstracts 4 Terminology 7
INTRODUCTION: Be a gardener 10 Background and the research environment 12 e scope and objectives of the research 15 Research questions and methods 17 Structure of the thesis 18
PART I: INSPIRATION FROM NATURE (theoretical framework)
1. CITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY 22 1.1. Changes in social-ecological systems 24 1.2. Urbanization 27 1.3. From sustainable to regenerative development 28
2. REGENERATIVE DESIGN 32 2.1. e origin and de nition of regenerative design 33 2.2. e Elements of Regenerative Design 35 2.2.1. Knowledge of nature 35 2.2.2. Health and well-being of systems 40 2.2.4. Place as a starting point 41 2.2.5. Co-evolution 42 2.2.6. Whole systems approach 44 2.2.7. Ecological worldview 46
3. URBAN ECOLOGICAL PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT 48 3.1. Regenerative cities 50 3.2. Design approaches for urban ecological design 52 3.3. Urban ecosystems 55 3.4. Urban metabolism 57
8 TABLE OF CONTENT
PART II: REGENERATIVE APPROACHES IN HELSINKI (case study)
4. KRUUNUVUORENRANTA – From oil harbor to residential neighborhood 62 4.1. e system of systems 62 4.1.1. Finland – steering to sustainability and well-being 62 4.1.2. Uusimaa region 64 4.1.3. City of Helsinki 66 4.2. Kruunuvuorenranta – an urban island 68 4.2.1. e place 68 4.2.2. e metabolism of Kruunuvuorenranta 71 4.2.3. e process and actors in Kruunuvuorenranta 75
5. DISCUSSING THE INTERVIEW FINDINGS 78 5.1. e objective: Are we even sustainable? 79 5.1.1. e subordinate goal 80 5.2. A holistic and horizontal process 81 5.2.1. From siloed expertise to holistic systems thinking 82 5.2.2. From strategies to action 84 5.2.3. Planning regulations as drivers of change 85 5.3. e value of green 86 5.4. e regenerative approaches in Kruunuvuorenranta 90 5.4.1. Place-based solutions 90 5.4.2. Supporting ecological lifestyle 92 5.4.3. Architecture reinforcing community and co-evolution 92 5.4.4. Challenges 93
PART III: THE EVOLUTION
6. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS 98 6.1. Answering the research questions 99 6.2. Are we ready for regenerative future? 103 6.3. Discussing the context and limitations 104 6.4. Implications for further research 105 6.5. Designer-gardener’s re ections 106
Acknowledgements 108 References 110 Figures and images 122 Appendix 126
9 10 INTRODUCTION BE A GARDENER
“A gardener does not ‘make’ a garden. Instead, a skilled gardener is one who has developed an understanding of the key processes operating in the garden. rough careful observations of the conditions of the garden’s ecosystem at any given time, a savvy gardener identi es core processes that are impaired and makes judicious decisions on how and where to intervene to reestablish the ows of energy that are vital to the health of the garden. “
- Benne & Mang, 2015
11 INTRODUCTION
From the 1980s, sustainable development has tried Background and the to address the environmental, social, and economic research environment issues by inuencing the political decision-making and global business environment. But as noted by Walker and Salt (2006), it has evolved into a Human beings have been inhabiting Earth, the debatable approach of control and further depletion garden of life, for hundreds of thousand years, being of natural resources in the name of e ciency. While part of nature’s systems and processes, and living in international policies, such as United Nations’ companionship with their surroundings. But a change Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the in a mindset started when humans settled down to Paris Agreement, try to steer the world away from cultivate the land around 10,000 years ago and the environmental and social crises, they do not seem to emergence of centralized human settlements began, function as radically and quickly as needed ( omson eventually evolving to urban life and cities (Zvelebil, & Newman, 2018). Applicable actions that support the 2009; Ste en et al., 2011). After industrialization in sustainability strategies are imperative. the 19th century, the modern western world has been driven by a mechanistic worldview, impacting greatly While aiming towards sustainability in every eld is in the ways we consider nature, its resources and crucial, the place of the main ght needs to be chosen. processes, a ecting the human-nature relationship Currently, urban environments produce over 70% of and systems. global CO2 emissions and consume two-thirds of global energy (C40 Cities, n.d.). In addition, the rapid e slow transition to agriculture and later the urbanization suggests that we need to switch our main industrialization laid a foundation for human developmental focus towards cities as places enabling population growth (Ponting, 1991), and consequently and furthering sustainability. But are the current for urbanization, as people started to move to cities processes, practices, and goals of urban planning and in search of a better life. Now 55% of the global design ready, open, and capable for the task? population is living in urban areas and the number is expected to grow (UN, 2019a), enhancing the pressure e relationship between people, nature, and place, to build vaster and denser cities. At the same time, which has grown to be one of the most challenging environmental and social crises are challenging the questions of our time in terms of sustainability, has ways we design and build cities, as resilience to adapt intrigued me since I became a designer. Starting my and mitigate the impacts of human actions is needed. journey originally with tangible objects and robust While studies suggest that we have overstepped some materials while creating ‘things’ to consume, my critical environmental thresholds within planetary point of view of design has evolved to follow Van der boundaries (Ste en et al., 2011), new challenges Ryn and Cowan’s (2007) de nition of designing as seem to accumulate, as could be seen with the global “intentional shaping of matter, energy, and process to COVID-19 pandemic this year.
12 meet a perceived need or desire” (p. 24) connecting 2018). Sustainable development has indeed enforced culture and nature. is professional evolution has led the progress in innovative sustainable technologies and to my fascination with systems and the environment. solutions, but in order to aim for a positive trajectory As I also have a background in horticulture, I have felt of sustainability, a shift into an ecological worldview that nature has much more to o er for design. is is emphasized in the sustainability discussions (Reed, notion guided me as a gardener-designer to investigate 2007; Du Plessis, 2012; Du Plessis & Brandon, 2015). cities, the living environments for many people myself Finland, although appearing to be the ideal country included, as places where acknowledging nature as a for sustainable development, has still a long way to go. partner could be bene cial for not only human health and wellbeing but also in terms ghting against As the ecological focus in sustainability tries to various environmental and social challenges. renew the relationship between people and nature, the urbanizing living environments are central for Being raised and educated in Finland, I have believed the developmental process. Finland, and especially that, a heavily-forested welfare state with nature- its southern parts with capital city Helsinki, is no loving and technology-driven society such as Finland exception in this progress of urbanization. Hence, is rather advanced in partnering with nature in terms focusing on nature’s role in cities among the people of sustainability. But as revealed in Figure 1, Finland, is crucial also in Finland. Palazzo and Steiner (2011) among the other countries is nowhere near being point out that the ever-changing urban environments ecologically and socially sustainable (O’Neill et al., can foster resources for the future, thus contributing
Asia EU-28 Rest of Europe North America Latin America and Caribbean Oceania
FINLAND
PLANETARY BOUNDARIES OVERSTEPPED BOUNDARIES PLANETARY SOCIALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE
SOCIAL TARGETS ACHIEVED
Figure 1. The social and ecological sustainability level of the countries of the world. Recent research shows that not a single country has managed to attain a high level of wellbeing within the biophysical boundaries of Earth. Source: O’Neill et al. 2018 © SYKE & SITRA.
13 positively to social-ecological systems. erefore, cities “a major force in the transformation of social-ecological are vital design platforms for change. e notion left systems toward sustainability” (p. 6) as it considers all me wondering: what if the environmental and social the aspects of the systems in order to build a stronger issues of cities could be reduced by bringing nature and healthier one whole for mutual bene t. back to the city and getting inspired by its systems and processes? Can cities be designed as ecosystems to Being relatively recent and emerging concepts, create healthier and regenerative environments? regenerative design and development in urban context have not yet been widely studied, lacking Regenerative design, a concept introduced by John clari cation and understanding of what they actually Tillman Lyle in 1994 and arising from discourses mean in conceptual but also practical level (Cole, of architecture and landscape architecture, could 2012; Gibbons et al., 2018). However, indications of propose strategies and solutions for furthering the regenerative approaches in urban planning and design net-positive human-nature relationship in the context can be seen already. In Finland, Helsinki is creating of the built environment. As a process-oriented way new ecological districts, such as Kruunuvuorenranta, of designing systems in partnership with nature, to brown eld areas with new innovative solutions for regenerative design roots its knowledge in ecology, energy and waste management while emphasizing living systems thinking, and permaculture. With the role of nature in urban lifestyle. e value of approaches focusing on eco-literacy, health and green infrastructure is being increasingly recognized wellbeing, place-based thinking, co-evolution, and in building up health and well-being for people but whole systems approach, regenerative design with also planet but the pressures of growing numbers the ecological worldview could lead to a shift from in population and urbanization hinder the holistic sustainable development to regenerative development. sustainability. erefore, there is a need for studies directed to consider cities as regenerative places. e Although the regenerative design has by far focused holistic approach and strategies of regenerative design mostly on agricultural practices, for example, carbon could be bene cial if cities are considered as vehicles sequestration and small nature-based settlements, of change in terms of sustainability. Lyle’s initial thoughts were aimed for the built environment (Lyle, 1994; Cole, 2012; Mang & In this thesis, I investigate regenerative design and Haggard, 2016). is has been further emphasized development, seeking to make sense and create an by the Regenesis Group, consisting of pioneering understanding of the emerging concepts while trying scholars and practitioners of regenerative design, with to recognize their strategies in the urban context. As their focus on strategies for regenerative development. one of the main approaches of regenerative design is to Later, the direct notion of a ‘regenerative city’ was focus on place-based thinking, the thesis also includes coined by Herbert Girardet (2010) as a life-sustaining a case study of Kruunuvuorenranta district in Helsinki place that enhances mutually the wellbeing of people as I study if regenerative approaches exist in local urban and natural systems and aims for a net-positive environment and what is the current state of play when environmental and social impact. But only in the designing Helsinki. e thesis hopes to bring to light recent academic discussions, regenerative design the current gaps in the discussion of sustainability and development have been recognized as potential in urban planning and design while stressing the strategies for bringing sustainability to a new level. importance of a mind shift through regenerative Gibbons et al. (2018) state that in the context of built practices. Overall, I hope that the thesis will build up environment regenerative development is becoming knowledge for further research by giving a glimpse of the emerging paradigm change.
14 Sustainability
Health and well-being Co-evolution REGENERATIVE DESIGN URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN
Place ECO- SYSTEMS Living systems KRUUNUVUORENRANTA thinking
Nature
Figure 2. The research landscape of the thesis.
The scope and to me. Although Kruunuvuorenranta cannot be considered a regenerative district per se, the starting objectives of point of the development, from a closed oil harbor the research to a new ecological urban residential area, suggests that regenerative thinking does exist in some level in the processes, hence making Kruunuvuorenranta an e thesis explores the concept of regenerative design intriguing platform for analyzing the place further. in an urban environment focusing on social-ecological systems (see Figure 2) in a Nordic medium-sized In the thesis, I will focus on mapping out where we welfare state and its capital’s urban design and planning are at this point when we plan and design urban practices. Understanding the concepts of regenerative environments towards sustainability in a Finnish design and development will increase the knowledge context, and what could be the entry points for of how to design and plan healthy, net-positive social- regenerative approaches in that particular context. ecological systems within cities. In order to gain Setting the research boundaries on a development knowledge and gather data within a speci ed urban project such as Kruunuvuorenranta, an area currently system, I have framed the study to focus on Finland, in progress, is sensible and justi able as a case study the Helsinki region, and its new urban residential because I can study the planning, design, and district Kruunuvuorenranta as the context is familiar development as it happens. In addition, the place-
15 based approach of regenerative design ts well in e research lens will be design-focused as I myself examining a speci c area, or place, within the study. am a designer. Also, the thesis takes a systems thinking approach, trying to make sense of a larger e broader aim of this thesis is to understand phenomenon and current state of play in regards regenerative design in a conceptual and practical level to sustainability. Hence, my role as a researcher is to establish a base for future research. e focus will to try to understand not only the social-ecological not be on problem-solving or designing solutions, systems in urban environments, but also the design but in establishing knowledge. Also, following approaches that could support the systems. Based regenerative thinking, there is no such thing as a on this notion, two views of the research are chosen: predetermined one- ts-all-model for regenerative the design perspective and a sense-maker perspective. urban design, and therefore, the thesis will not present is dual-approach makes the thesis also explorative a model or a framework as such. Based on these aims, and descriptive in addition to qualitative, as it tries the objectives of the thesis focus on investigating and to paint a picture of a phenomenon of regenerative understanding the concept and context of regenerative design while investigating how strategies are being design in the urban environment and map out the transformed into tangible, nature- and place-based current system where it works, the actors, and the design solutions for the urban environment. processes but especially the links and gaps between di erent parts of the system. As regenerative design in urban environments has not been studied widely, the overarching goal of this thesis Because the aim of the thesis is to build up new is to introduce the ideas of regenerative design to the knowledge of regenerative design in the eld of actors in the elds of urban planning and design but urban design and planning, the thesis has several also possibly initiate discussion within the decision- interlinking objectives. Firstly, the thesis focuses on makers, businesses, and organizations to think further creating a clearer understanding of the de nition of from sustainable development. In addition, the thesis regenerative design and development by studying the tries to create a base for future development in how origins and context of the concept through a literature we communicate regenerative design, how we design review. Secondly, it connects the ideas of regenerative urban environments, and how we live in a net-positive design into the urban design by locating strategies way. e value of the sense-making approach is in its and approaches that could enhance regenerative ability to create knowledge-base for an emerging, urban development. irdly, it investigates to what evolving, inde nite, and complex topic for future extent regenerative approaches already exist in students and researchers. urban design and planning practices, by focusing on Kruunuvuorenranta as a case study.
e research done in this thesis is qualitative, as the goal is to make sense of an emerging concept. Creswell (2007) notes that qualitative research aims for presenting a complex picture of a phenomenon by “reporting multiple perspectives, identifying the many factors involved in a situation, and generally sketching the larger picture that emerges” (p. 39). e holistic approach also ts the ideas of regenerative design where the whole system and the networks of it are analyzed and supported.
16 Finally, the third research question tries to locate the Research questions gaps and possibilities for the future development of the and methods connection between regenerative design and urban design. e answers to this question are combined e thesis studies regenerative design and development from the literature review, document analysis, and in urban environments through the following three interviews, linking the knowledge gathered from all research questions: the parts of the thesis.
1. What is regenerative design in the urban e methods of the research were chosen to support context? (THE QUALITIES) the aim to reach a theoretical and descriptive analysis of an emerging phenomenon. In order to understand 2. What elements of regenerative design can be the concepts and contexts, a thorough literature seen in the current state of play when designing review has been conducted not only in the eld of Helsinki? (WHAT IS HAPPENING?) regenerative design and development but also in sustainability and urban design. But as Breslin and 3. How could the designers of cities (planners, Buchanan (2008) point out, it is vital for a designer architects, designers, and makers) introduce to connect the theory with practice, thus, a case study regenerative design into urban design method supports the interplay between the theory practices? (MAPPING THE GAPS AND of regenerative design and the practices of urban POSSIBILITIES) planning and design in Kruunuvuorenranta.
e rst question focuses on the concept of regenerative design in urban environments, trying to perceive DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS where and how it works. It is a broader question with an aim to create an understanding of the qualities of e data collection of the case study was divided the regenerative urban areas. is question is answered into two spheres. e rst one was the document through a literature review in two separate parts: one analysis that required going through a vast amount identifying regenerative design strategies and the of planning documents from the City of Helsinki in other the elements and strategies of urban ecological addition to articles, reports, and other documents design. rough the investigation of these concepts, about the development of Kruunuvuorenranta and regenerative urban approaches are identi ed. the Helsinki region. ese documents were located via internet search and from the public databases of e second question reaches for a more detailed level the City of Helsinki. by focusing on a speci c place, Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki, to study if any regenerative elements e second sphere for gathering the empirical are already in place when designing a new ecological data focused on the ten thematic semi-structured residential district. is question is studied through interviews within the actors of Kruunuvuorenranta. document analysis and thematic interviews with e interviewees (see Appendix 1 for the list of the planners from di erent levels from the City interviewees) were chosen based on their connection of Helsinki, architects, landscape architects, to the development of Kruunuvuorenranta from the construction companies, and citizens involved in elds of planning, design, and construction but also the Kruunuvuorenranta’s development process. the residents. Both public and private sector actors were
17 involved and interviewed during the process. While e discussion about the ndings from the literature the interview phase progressed, the interviewees also review and the empirical data collection and analysis suggested relevant people for additional interviews. conducted in the case study are combined into the conclusions presented in Chapter 6. By designing the interviews to be more of a discussion revolving around several themes (the role of nature in urban planning and design, values and goals in the current state of play when designing Helsinki, and Structure of the thesis solutions and design approaches at Kruunuvuorenranta), e thesis process followed the Double Diamond the qualitative research approach was emphasized (see design model originally coined by the British Design Appendix 2 for interview questions). Each interview Council in 2005 as it points out creative steps for was approximately one hour long, although some the process (see Figure 3). Starting by discovering were longer. While the discussion was often very free, the aspects of regenerative design and development I guided the discussion around the following underlying through literature review, the process continued questions to follow the research questions and goals of to de ne and develop the ideas through case study the thesis: interviews, document analysis, and system mapping. To reach the deliver phase, this thesis report was • What is the current state of play when designing created to document the ndings of the process. Helsinki? • What are the implications of regenerative e thesis consists of three distinct parts: theoretical, approaches when designing urban environments? empirical, and conclusions. Part I will focus on a • What kind of practices, policies, principles would theoretical study aiming to build an understanding of have an attraction in the interviewees? What regenerative design’s possibilities in an urban context. excites them (qualities of excitement) in terms of It starts by explaining the challenges the urbanizing their own role? world is facing sustainability-wise. It then introduces • What is valuable for the actors? the existing concept of regenerative design based on literature; its origin, characteristics, and strategies. Conducted in Finnish, the interviews were e theoretical part also views concepts emerging in recorded and transcribed with the permission of urban planning and design that relate to regenerative the interviewees, and then analyzed through the design, such as urban ecological design, urban Atlas.ti program. e data analysis process in Atlas. ecology, and urban metabolism. Overall, this part of ti is similar to traditional research wall methods with the thesis tries to answer the rst and third research hand-coding but allows handling larger amounts questions with a broader view and will be conducted of data. By following a simple coding system, the as a literature review. program helps to recognize patterns, themes, and frequencies in the discussions while organizing the Part II, where the empirical focus of the data. ese frequencies were then clustered with a thesis is presented, is a case study investigating research wall method to understand the larger picture Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki, with document and connections between the themes (see Appendix analysis and by conducting semi-structured interviews 3 for further description of the analysis methods). with the actors that have been involved in the design, e most frequent themes with additional curiosities planning, and development of the area. is part emerging from the interviews are presented in the concentrates on the speci c-level research questions interview ndings (see Chapter 5).
18 (questions 2 and 3) and tries to map out the level of regenerative design when designing Helsinki.
In the nal Part III, the results are discussed by going back to the research questions, and conclusions are made based on the overall notions and ndings from the literature review and case study. Also, the thesis process is evaluated by acknowledging the limitations of the study and o ering suggestions for future research with a re ective touch.
Discover Defi ne Develop Deliver
SYSTEM MAPPING
LITERATURE DOCUMENTATION REVIEW INTERVIEWING ANALYSIS
Figure 3. The thesis process based on the double diamond design model.
19 20 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
PART I INSPIRATION FROM NATURE
“In many ways, the environmental crisis is a design crisis. It is a consequence of how things are made, buildings are constructed, and landscapes are used.”
- Van der Ryn & Cowan, 2007
21 1 CITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY
This chapter describes While humans have evolved from hunter-gatherers to the connection between practicers of agriculture and further to city dwellers, the relationship between nature and people has sustainability and cities changed from partnership to stewardship, sometimes even dictatorship where nature is the submissive to set a stage of an urban party. As omson and Newman (2018) point out, environment where we would the move from hunter-gatherers to citizens “marks a shift from living within an ecosystem to extraction benef t from regenerative from an external ecosystem to support human life” approaches. While the rapid (p. 219). e transformation also initiated the process of urbanizing the nature, where the city is a social changes in social-ecological and a physical environment, a ected by its history, systems, population growth, geography and location, but a ‘hybrid’ of culture and nature (Kaika & Swyngedouw, 2000). Hence, and urbanization increase, nature is still part of the urban structures and life the current sustainable but subject to human control. development works Nowadays, cities are homes to most of the people on the planet, and although occupying only three ineffi ciently. Thus, the chapter percent of the planet’s surface they extract most of presents a more radical their resources from a vast environment outside the urban area ( omson & Newman, 2018; Lemes de paradigm shift towards Oliveira & Mell, 2019). If the current socio-economic regenerative development. and Earth system trends will continue, the capacity of three Earths would be needed by 2050. Within the cities, the natural resources and environment are diminished or non-existent, making the urban ecosystems poorer and weaker, e ectively dependent on global resources.
Life in urban environments not only dominates natural resources on Earth, but it a ects most of the issues related to sustainability. In addition to resource scarcity, the emissions and changes in land use have caused environmental crises such as climate change
22 Image 1. Tokyo in December. Source: Dean Cook, Unsplash.23 and biodiversity loss. Regarding social sustainability in urban environments, the challenges in social 1.1. Changes in social- equity, securing basic needs, well-being, health and ecological systems quality of life, social cohesion and inclusion, social identity, and sense of community have been growing Although the rise of agriculture changed the way (Mehan & So aei, 2017). To sustain life on Earth and human beings saw nature, the issues that are now to ensure the health and wellbeing for everyone, both being faced globally remind us that humans and of these spheres of sustainability need to be addressed, the natural environment cannot be separated. e and economic sustainability will follow. biosphere, the Earth’s layer of life, consists of all the ecosystems on the planet. With biosphere, human e challenges in environmental and social beings form ‘social-ecological systems’, including sustainability are also impacted by the megatrends of economic, political, cultural, and technological aspects the global environment. e demographic and social of humanity and accompanying the ecological one change sees the amount of population aging and (Folke et al., 2016). e concept of social-ecological growing, United Nations (2019b) estimating that in systems can help to understand the interactions 2050 there will be 9.7 billion human beings living on and connections between humans and nature. this planet. Most of the people will live in cities, leading to rapid urbanization. Digitalization has already e drastic changes in social-ecological systems that changed societies in a few decades and continues to have been witnessed during the past 100 years show lead to a hyperconnected globe, while the shifts and that the ecology and geology of our planet are being growth in the global economy can lead to multipolar pushed to the limit. Humanity has become a force of globalization (Megatrends Watch Institute, n.d.). nature. Since industrialization, the use of fossil fuels Furthermore, the year 2020 brought up the challenges and the impacts of shifting land use have resulted of the global pandemic with COVID-19. in rising rates of change in many aspects of human activity and the natural world (Ste en et al., 2011; e changing world is in a phase where new Ste en et al., 2015b). ese corresponding changes considerations on sustainability are needed. We were rst noted by Paul Crutzen and Eugene F. are reaching the limits of our planet in resources, Stoermer (2000), naming the new geological epoch wellbeing, and mere existence of species. But as urban as ‘Anthropocene’. areas continue to grow, they can also be designed to generate positive impacts on the environment and e Anthropocene can be arguable, but many communities. As Wolfram and Frantzeskaki (2016) indicators (see Figure 4) suggest that an unseen era this paper identi es and scrutinizes the principal in Earth’s history has emerged. e preceding era elds involved, asking for their respective normative of Holocene2 was relatively stable, but now the life- orientation, interdisciplinary constitution, theories support systems of our planet have started to fail and methods used, and empirical basis to provide rapidly. Studies show that especially after the two orientations for future research. It recognizes four world wars, several social-ecological indicators start to salient research epistemologies, each focusing on a distinct combination of drivers of change: (A note the cities can be driving the change towards sustainability. For this, Ste en et al. (2011) propose the social-ecological systems as a concept to cope with and understand the sustainability challenges and 2 Holocene is the current interglacial period that began about complexities of them at local and regional scales. 10,000 years ago.
24 Socio-economic trends
70 2,5 4 7 Population Real GDP Foreign direct investment Urban population 60 2 6 3 50 5 40 1,5 4 2 3 30 1 2 20
Billion people 1 0,5 Billion people
1 Trillion US dollars 10 Trillion US dollars 0 0 0 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010
600 200 4 4 Primary energy use Fertilizer consumption Large dams Water use 500 160 3 3 3 400 120 300 2 2 80 200 1 1 Thousand km Exajoule (EJ) Thousand dams 100 Million tonnes 40
0 0 0 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010
1400 7 1000 Paper production Transportation Telecommunications International tourism 400 1200 6 800 1000 300 5 600 800 4 200 600 3 400 400
Million tonnes 2 100 Million arrivals 200 illion motor vehicles 200 1 M
0 0 0 0 Billion phone subscriptions 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 200 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010 2010
Earth system trends
390 1800 100 Carbon dioxide 320 Nitrous oxide Methane Stratospheric ozone 1600 360 80 1400 300 60 330 1200
% loss 40 1000 300 280 20 800 Atmospheric conc. ppb Atmospheric conc. ppb Atmospheric conc., ppm 270 260 600 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year Year Year 2010 Year 2010 2010 2010
0.6 1800 80 4 Surface temperature Ocean acidification 70 Marine fish capture Shrimp aquaculture 0.4 1600 60 3 0.2 1400 50 0 1200 40 2 30 -0.2 1000
Million tonnes 20 Million tonnes 1 -0.4 800 10 Atmospheric conc. ppb Temperature anomaly °C Temperature -0.6 600 0 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year Year 2010 Year 2010 2010 Year 2010
1 100 30 50 40 Nitrogen to coastal zone Tropical forest loss Domesticated land Terrestrial biosphere 80 25 30 degradation 60 20 15 25 20 40 10
% loss (area) 10 20 5 % of total land area Human N flux, Mtons y r 0 0 0 0 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year 2010 Year 2010 Year 2010 % decr. mean species abundance Year 2010
Figure 4. The socio-economic and Earth system trends of ‘Great Acceleration’. Source: Steffen et al. (2015b).
25 rise on the scale (Ste en et al., 2015b). e dramatic e socio-economic indicators suggest that human speeding up started in the 1950s and has been called life has been thriving after the Great Acceleration ‘ e Great Acceleration’ (Ste en et al., 2015b). e started, but the planetary boundaries tell that it concept has been studied through several socio- comes with a cost. e modern world, oriented to economic and Earth system trend indicators, initially economic growth, fossil fuels, and high consumption published in 2004 and mapping the development consequently erodes the natural systems, including from 1750 to 2000 (Ste en et al., 2015b). water, air, ecosystems, and geology of the planet. Although many aspects of human life, such as well- While the socio-economic indicators focus on human being and health, have reached higher levels than at activities such as following the GDP, water use, any previous point in our history, the planetary support tourism, or population growth, the Earth system systems are failing (Ste en et al., 2011). To stop or even indicators track the environmental impacts. ese reverse the damages being caused to Earth systems relate to the concept of ‘planetary boundaries’, proposed due to human actions, a supportive balance between by Johan Rockström and Will Ste en with their team people and the natural world is to be established and in 2009. e planetary boundaries is a framework to enhanced for both to survive and thrive. represent the ecological limits of the planet. It identi es key biophysical processes and the safe operating spaces inking through the planetary boundaries indicates for nine Earth systems, crucial for functioning and that human beings need to become partners with resilient planet (Rockström et al. 2009). If those nature to sustain the safe operating space in the Earth boundaries are trespassed, an environmental and social systems. But focusing only on planetary boundaries, system collapse could be disastrous. the environmental limits, is not enough, as suggested
climate change ion o let ce p A an e OLOGIC L CEIL a r d EC ING c e id y if la c e a n t space t o jus for io z nd h n o a um afe a s ni e ty th OVERSHOOT water food
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gender peace & equality justice b g i social n o i d political & d i v equity n a o e voice e l rs R Y g i E o s t G M r u y E O it r lo N N n o s E O h s RA EC p T E s IVE IV o AN UT h D DISTRIB p
la r nd ate co hw ls nve fres wa rsion dra with
Figure 5. The Doughnut Model as a framework for securing the safe and just space for humanity. Source: Kate Raworth (2012).
26 by economist Kate Raworth with her donut model Despite the notion that some cities are actually facing (2012). It combines the planetary boundaries with population decline with fertility rates falling, the twelve social challenges (see Figure 5) identi ed in rise of capital areas and megacities is evident. Asia, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. e idea inhabiting 54% of the world’s urban population, in the donut model is to give a more holistic view and holds also the largest number of megacities (UN, to help to de ne ‘the safe and just space for humanity’ 2019a), urban areas inhabiting at least over 10 (Raworth, 2012). With her model, Raworth indicates million people. With 43 megacities around the globe that the basic needs of humanity and the ecosystems estimated to rise by 2030, the urban world is growing on Earth need to be secured thoughtfully, and greater but not necessarily better. economic growth cannot be the main driver. e urbanizing world raises questions in terms of sustainability but also design-wise. How do we design the future cities to respond to all the social- 1.2. Urbanization ecological system needs and to secure a healthy living environment for the people and the planet? While people in developing countries are forced e challenges are complex, and trade-o s are to relocate from their home places due to social or necessary. Herbert Girardet (2015) observes that environmental e ects, such as unemployment or a number of major cities are placed on coasts, thus natural disaster, the people from highly developed being in danger if the sea levels rise due to climate countries are drawn to cities in search of better jobs, change. e densi cation of urban environments education, and services (UN, 2019a; UNDP, 2019). intents to diminish the urban sprawl and answer e movement from rural areas to cities, in addition to the pressures of population growth, but in e ect to population growth, is causing urbanization. Already destroys signi cant ecosystem processes (Niemelä et 55% of the world’s population is living in urban al., 2011). e ways the cities are designed need to environments and the number is estimated to rise to change accordingly as sustainability considerations 68% by 2050 (UN, 2019a). is will mean billions of are enhanced. additional urban citizens globally. As the number of citizens expands, so does the pressure to build more and In his book Creating Regenerative Cities (2015), denser. e urban environment can become stressful Herbert Girardet remarks: and unhealthy with little connection to nature. e central contradiction we currently face is While cities can provide more education and job this: humanity is building an urban future, yet opportunities for the growing number of the global urbanization in its current form is threatening the population, the need for resources to support urban life very future of humanity and the natural world. is also increasing. United Nations (2019a) points out e management of urban growth has been named as that with the current trend, the resource consumption essential for sustainable development (Ahern, 2011; for urban dwellers will be around 8-17 tons by 2050, UN, 2019a), and enhancing the lives of not only far from being a sustainable one. e expansion of urban but also rural dwellers is the key to success. To population and urbanized areas will have an e ect on create a sustainable balance between urban and rural, the ecosystems and landscape globally (Barnosky et al., the services and infrastructure need to be secured 2012), as the capacity of Earth is pushed to its limits. inclusively for everyone, with a focus on the basic needs of life. Only then humans can operate in a safe zone in respect to nature.
27 UN commissioned Brundtland report in 1978. It 1.3. From sustainable describes sustainable development as:”…development to regenerative that meets the needs of the present without compromising development the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While the idea was to bring the nations together to build a sustainable future, the sustainable development e sustainability-related issues of our time require has evolved into a questionable approach of control, a new approach where the current global challenges with intensi ed use and greater e ciency of natural are fought in local scales and with new strategies. Firstly, sustainability and especially healthy social- resources, as argued by Walker and Salt (2006). Mang ecological systems need to be our priority in and Haggard (2016) also note that with sustainable whatever we do. Secondly, as most people will be development we are only trying to minimize the negative living in urban areas in the future, we need to focus impacts of energy and resource use with a net-zero our sustainability e orts on urban environments. approach to sustainability. e emphasis on productivity Ahern (2011) notes that sustainable development and quanti able measures hint that sustainable depends on how we manage urbanization, thus development is still thought through economics (Lyle, the role of the cities is crucial. By understanding 1994). De ning sustainable development through the the social-ecological systems and integrating them idea of ‘doing less harm’ cannot foster positive impacts on in urban planning and design, the in uence on social-ecological systems. sustainability and resilience of cities can be positive (Aalto et al., 2018). Pushing the potential of At the moment, the UN’s Sustainable Development sustainable development to a new level seems more Goals are functioning as major political tools in order relevant and urgent than ever. to reach sustainability. But until now the discussion on them still highlighted the balance between ecological, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT e Global Sustainable Development Goals Report 20193 brought into the discussion more pressure on e modern environmental movement in the western the ‘human-environment systems and dynamics’ and world had started the discussion on environmental seeing sustainability in a more systemic and holistic impacts of consumption and economic growth after way (see Appendix 4 for SDG interactions and trade- World War II, but the 1960s introduced the ‘Age of o s). Concerning the idea of cities being enablers of Ecology’ (Sessions, 1987), initiating environmentalism sustainability, Europe Commission’s Horizon 2020 as an urgent matter. During that time, the public has been funding projects and studies for Smart awareness of the science of ecology and how the health of ecosystems connects to environmental issues was rising, with a help of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring published in 1962 (Sessions, 1987). Later e Limits to Growth by Donella Meadows and Club of Rome in 1972 pushed environmentalism further as 3 The Global Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019 includes six key areas for transformation: they expressed their worry for the growing amount of • Human well-being and capabilities people, resource depletion, and pollution. e report • Sustainable and just economies started a sustainability discussion that later evolved to • Sustainable food systems and healthy nutrition • Energy decarbonization with universal access a more political approach and resulted as a concept • Sustainable urban and periurban development of sustainable development, originally de ned in the • Securing global environmental commons
28 and Sustainable cities (2014-2020) and Circular and as mechanical systems” (Mang & Haggard, 2016, p. 22). Regenerative cities (since 2019). A hint of a shift Cole (2012) points out that the mechanistic worldview, towards understanding nature as a powerful partner formed by radical advancements in classical science, can be observed. religion, and economics since the mid-17th century, sees nature as a resource rather than a companion. is view of humans independent and dominant over nature has THE STREAMS OF SUSTAINABILITY ruled and shaped the relationship between people and the planet for centuries while supporting capitalistic e insu ciency of the present sustainability aims to maintain and grow human prosperity (Mang paradigm in modern western societies suggests that & Haggard, 2016). something within it is broken. In the vast literature on sustainability, many thinkers have identi ed the e mechanistic worldview has formed two streams problem as a mechanistic worldview in which nature within the current sustainability paradigm (see is considered “ nite, linear, and subject to the same laws Figure 6). According to du Plessis (2012) one stream
MECHANISTIC WORLDVIEW URBANIZATION ECOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW “nature as a machine” “nature as a partner” “humans above nature” “humans as nature”
Internationally negotiated “idealistic” public policy (UN)
ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY Regenerative “Radical ecology” TECHNOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY development
“Ecological modernization” from private sector
PLANETARY BOUNDARIES
After WWII Now Future
Figure 6. The current sustainability paradigm, deriving from mechanistic worldview, combines technological and ecological aspects within several streams of functioning. Sustainable development is managed through international policies and for prof ts of private sector. The stream of radical ecology supports aims of regenerative development, nested in ecological worldview. The current challenges of urbanization and exceeding planetary boundaries push the current sustainability paradigm to change towards a new one. Based on the ideas of Du Plessis (2012) and created by author.
29 exists in the international public policy, and the other REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT in the modernizing private sector, both focused on maintaining the current status quo. e ideological If staying with the status quo - acting in a way stream of public policy, initiated and negotiated by that got us into the trouble - is not working, then a the UN, sets the criteria, indicators, and strategies for paradigm shift is needed. Although Mang and Reed sustainability to lay a common ground for all the nations (2012) agree that a combination of prior approaches (du Plessis, 2012). On the other side is the private sector of technological and ecological are part of the future, with companies trying to match the needs of sustainable a regenerative approach to sustainability brings along development into pro table business opportunities. a stronger partnership with natural systems (see e symbiotic relationship between the two streams Figure 7). Facilitating the ecological worldview, the underlines the role of the economic dimension of regenerative paradigm follows nature-based and co- sustainability above the social and ecological. creative strategies, such as resilience, adaptation, and regeneration (du Plessis, 2012). e innovation comes In line with the ideas of du Plessis, but from a design from nature. and developmental point of view, is the division to technological and ecological sustainability. Based Central to regenerative sustainability is to create a on engineering, technological sustainability aims for ourishing and healthy environment where the net- eco-e cient or ‘green’ design (Mang&Reed, 2012) positive and evolutionary symbiosis between human with new innovations emerging every day. However, beings and nature is endorsed, and where minimizing the technology-focused approach in sustainability the negative impacts of human actions will no longer supports the existing power structures and markets, be enough. Du Plessis (2012) explains that crucial to as argued by Van der Ryn & Cowan (2007): regenerative sustainability is strengthening
It is about expert interventions in which the planet’s the health, adaptive capacity, and evolutionary medical symptoms are carefully stabilized through potential of the fully integrated global social- high-pro le international agreements and sophisticated ecological system so that it can continue regenerating management techniques. (p. 20) itself, thereby creating the conditions for a thriving and abundant future—not only for the human species but for all life (p. 59). Meanwhile, ecological sustainability brings the focus back to nature. Du Plessis (2012) expresses Mang and Reed (2012) also add that the mutual this stream as ‘radical ecology’, that arose alongside bene ts consider not only the social-ecological but the other sustainability streams to voice out another also the technical systems, indicating that the di erent perspective. Deriving from the knowledge of ecology streams of sustainability cannot be separated. and living systems and leaning to the ideology of ecological worldview (discussed further in Chapter Suggested by du Plessis (2012) and inspired by Lyle 2.2.7.), ecological sustainability sees nature as (1994), regenerative development refers to a holistic the greatest model for current and future design approach to sustainability between culture, built challenges (Mang & Reed, 2012). Folke et al. (2016) environment, and the natural world. Mang & Reed point out that in all times the foundational role of a (2012) contemplate the de nition to consider urban healthy biosphere should be remembered as it creates development where humans partner with natural the basis for the societies and economies. Only in systems in a symbiotic way, forming “a system of a recent years, the ideas of ecological sustainability place” (p. 36). By developing the capabilities of living have grown more interest, e ectively bringing forth systems and enhancing the potential of humans and a new paradigm of sustainability. nature, regenerative development embraces complexity,
30 An Ecology Habitat - People - Infrastructure A whole living system Effective Qualitative Pattern thinking Living and whole systems LIVING SYSTEM DESIGN
Less energy required Living systems / consciousness
Conventional Green Sustainable Restorative Regenerative Buildings infrastructure More energy required TECHNICAL SYSTEM DESIGN Technologies and techniques Fragmented thinking Quantitative Ef ciency
Figure 7. The contrast of technical system design and living system design. Source: Regenesis Group (n.d.).
diversity, and creativity (Mang & Haggard, 2016). On the built environment and in a practical level, Girardet (2015) reminds that the task is to give Mang & Haggard (2016) suggest that regenerative back to nature. But in order to aim for regenerative development should include the ideas of “regeneration sustainability, a mindset change, and a new way of as enabler of evolution, working in place and being is needed (Hes & Du Plessis, 2015), hence developmental processes” (p. 24). Notably, the objective making the systemic transformation challenging. of regenerative development is to change the whole system. us, only focusing on changing some parts In order to reach for regenerative development, the of the system, for example by using regenerative understanding of social-ecological systems and technologies, will not work (Mang & Reed, 2012). processes, and active stewardship in enhancing life in all its forms are calling for attention (Cole, 2012). As John Tillman Lyle (1994) proclaims, we need Gibbons et al. (2018) list the following strategies for development to sustain our human environment and regenerative development: society, but it cannot come with the destruction of our natural world. omson and Newman (2018) remark 1. Manifesting potential that the degeneration we are facing has resulted from the 2. Shifting worldviews failed system design of humans, thus the system design 3. Creating mutually bene cial, co-evolving has to be reversed. Transitioning to another paradigm relationships demands changes in system, actions, and processes (Geels 4. Adding value across scales & Schot, 2010). e challenge is that we need to grow to 5. Growing regenerative capacity in whole systems another level and adopt a worldview and strategies that di er remarkably from the current ones.
31 32 2 REGENERATIVE DESIGN
As the previous chapter To regenerate means “to improve a place or system, especially by making it more active or successful” or “to highlighted, the rapid changes grow again”(Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.). It is easier to understand it through its close synonyms, such as in social-ecological systems ‘restoring’, ‘revitalizing’ and ‘reviving’. Based on these need our attention more meanings, two possible angles can de ne the concept. On the one hand, regeneration can depict bringing than ever. Transitioning to something vital back to the environment or system regenerative development for it to ourish. On the other hand, the concept comprises a deeper understanding of ways to thrive in could be key to the future. a certain place and time. ese ideas are realized in the This chapter introduces the framework of regenerative design, the aim of which is to create a process that restores, revives, renews and framework of regenerative revitalizes its sources of energy and materials in a design for transferring to the continuous loop in co-evolution with nature. next level of sustainability. We take a look at where 2.1. The origin regenerative design has and definition of come from and learn the regenerative design elements essential in e framework for regenerative design is rooted regenerative design and deeply in ecology, living systems thinking and development. permaculture. Since the 1930s, these elds have been the steppingstone for the regenerative ideas. e concepts of ecosystem and systems view of life, proposed by Sir Arthur Tansley and others in 1935, were pioneering for the eld of ecology, and created an early basis for regenerative ideas (Mang & Reed, 2012). After World War II, Eugene and Howard Odum continued developing ecology as a science to view nature in a more holistic way (Mang & Reed,
33 2012). In 1978, James Grier Miller presented his Originally, Lyle (1994) de ned regenerative design as living systems theory, later developed into living a multidisciplinary and process-oriented approach systems thinking by an architect and systems theorist to design human life-support systems seeking to Charles Krone (Mang & Reed, 2012). In addition to replace “the present linear system of throughput ow these more theoretical ideas, the permaculture, an with cyclical ows at sources, consumption centers, and ecological design system developed by Bill Mollison sinks.” (p. 12). While Lyle’s description is focused on and David Holmgren in 1978, introduced more the circularity of resources with a technical approach, practical approaches for regenerative thinking (Mang Mang and Reed (2012) concentrate on the holistic & Reed, 2012). Since all of the three elds have understanding of living systems, as their de nition of regenerative elements within their reasoning, they regenerative design reveals. In their words, it is: can be seen as fundamentals of regenerative design. A system of technologies and strategies based on an understanding of the inner working of ecosystems that All of the elds introduced above served as an generates designs to regenerate rather than deplete inspiration for the concept of regenerative, coined by underlying life support systems and resources within socio- John Tillman Lyle in the 1990s. An American architect ecological wholes. (p.2) and landscape architect, Lyle’s ideas for regenerative design were already present in his earlier book called e de nitions suggest that for nature to support Design of Human Ecosystems, published in 1984 (Mang human life, humans need to support nature in a net- & Reed, 2012). Lyle’s later book, Regenerative Design positive system where humans act as part of nature, for Sustainable Development (1994), can be considered understanding its functioning. is signi es that as the rst book of regenerative design, introducing nature can no longer be considered as a resource to strategies for the framework and following a case be exploited but it should rather be seen as a circular study project for a center of regenerative studies with system that humans can endorse. By partnering with practical tips. In addition to pioneering in the eld of nature, mutually bene cial and a healthy relationship regenerative design, as an architect Lyle also included between humans and the natural world with a the built environment within the thinking. su cient amount of energy and resources for both parties can be achieved. If John Tillman Lyle can be seen as the father gure of regenerative design, then the family supporting Design-wise, the regenerative design brings together his work is e Regenesis Group. Established in several existing streams of ecological design. In 1995, only a year after Lyle’s book, e Regenesis addition to knowledge from ecology and living systems Group’s purpose was to bring awareness and consult thinking and ideas of permaculture (Mang & Haggard, on regenerative development, with their early 2016), Cole (2012) acknowledges that bioregionalism, mission of being able to provide solutions to create community engagement, and respecting the place a healthier planet. Although Lyle himself was never are essential for regenerative design. Gibbons et al. part of the group, e Regenesis Group has been the (2018) point out that regenerative design integrates frontrunner in regenerative design and development all the di erent levels of ecological design (see Figure since its beginning, contributing to many projects 8). Combining these streams with the mindset of for communities and environments. erefore, many the developmental change process, regenerative of the group’s members, such as Pamela Mang, Bill sustainability could be reached. Reed, and Ben Haggard, are now considered the main scholars in regenerative design, developing the ideas of it even further and bringing them to practice.
34 Worldview Paradigm Values Ideas Actions Aim
Wholeness Collective Humans as Developmental Holistic / Regenerative Ecological individualism, nature change Regenerate Regenerative interbeing Potential processes Co-creation
Humas as Reconciliatory Interdependence integrated with nature
Humans healing Restorative Stewardship Improve nature
Ecosystem Sustainable services / human Sustainable development Maintain well-being goals Engagement
LEED, BREEAM, Problem- Green indications, Operate Solutions checklists
Fragmentation Codes, Conventional Mechanistic Reductionist Independence Stabilize Extraction regulations, laws
Figure 8. The different levels of ecological design and development by Gibbons et al. (2018). Each level builds upon the previous one in order to result in a regenerative, holistic, and f ourishing process with healthy social-ecological systems.
as nature itself is. Williams (1985) de nes nature 2.2. The Elements of based on its meanings as follows: Regenerative Design 1. the essential quality and character of something; e framework of regenerative design consists of several 2. the inherent force which directs either the world sub-concepts. e overarching idea in regenerative or human beings or both; design is to comprehend nature’s cycles, processes, and 3. the material world itself, taken as including or goals. is knowledge is combined with ideas of whole not including human beings (p. 219). systems approach, the place-making, mutual health of people and planet, and co-evolution. Altogether, a Notable is that some considerations take human mind shift towards an ecological worldview is needed. beings as part of nature and others do not. In the ese sub-concepts are themes that arise from the context of this thesis, nature is considered as natural literature and discussions about regenerative design elements (physical environment), systems, processes, and are now being further introduced in order to gain and laws that a ect Earth, while the concept of an understanding of the framework. social-ecological systems brings together the human systems and natural systems. In regenerative design and development these two separate systems are 2.2.1. Knowledge of nature considered to co-evolve in mutual co-existence, rather than be embedded within the other (Cole, Oliver, Re-connecting with nature and understanding how it & Robinson, 2013). Nevertheless, the regenerative functions creates a basis for regenerative design. But design considers the world of human beings and even the de nition of the word ‘nature’ is as complex nature as a whole.
35 In the Western world, human relationship with natural world, suggesting patterns and strategies for nature has been divided into two conicting views design (Mang & Reed, 2012; Mang & Haggard, for a long time. Based on the nature-centric views of 2016). ey also challenge the designers to think ancient Greek philosophers (Lemes & Mell, 2019), in a way of a natural scientist in order to reach a the rst view sees nature as ‘spectacular’ (Chen, regenerative mindset. 2017), and therefore it is admired for its beauty, considered powerful and acknowledged as something From an ecological point of view, planet Earth to be protected. e second view considers nature as a consists of four interdependent natural systems or resource, apart, and alienated from humanity (Chen, spheres that create a biophysical environment: an 2017), something to exploit, enjoy, and control environment for living and non-living things. Earth (Lemes & Mell, 2019). is mechanistic view was itself is a metabolic system of closed loops that gets reinforced in the 17th and 18th century Europe (Mang its energy from the sun. e sphere that fosters all & Haggard, 2016). e two contradicting views of the life on Earth is called the biosphere and within it, protection and exploitation tell about the di cult life exists in ecosystems, de ned by a speci c place. relationship between humans and nature that still e biosphere is supported by the other three spheres: a ects how sustainability is considered. atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere (see Figure 9). e three supporting spheres provide the essential e regenerative design recognizes nature as a elements and environments for the biosphere to biocentric model drawn from the science of ecology. ourish ( ompson et al., 2018). Indicating a shift from a view where nature is ‘created’ by God, the model sees nature shaped by ‘the laws of e system of life on Earth is a complex and evolving nature’ (Lemes & Mell, 2019). Lyle (1994) sees nature dance between all the natural spheres. e living as a form and processes while Mang and Haggard systems thinking supports the understanding of the (2016) explain nature’s functioning as ways these systems function. Being open life forms that self-organize in relation to the environment, a dynamic organic web, within which interdependent living systems are a ected by the uctuations of entities organize and maintain themselves, exchange energy, matter, and information (Miller, 1965). information and energy, and evolve in harmony with Recognizing the patterns occurring between di erent their local environments (p. 23). levels of living systems (see Figure 10) can lead to a e biocentric approach emphasizes that all life forms shift for a new level, hence enabling system changes are equally valuable, thus the superior role of humans that are vital to sustainability as well. is diminished. e systems and processes of the natural world represent a contrast to designs by humans. Living systems NATURE AS A WAY OF DESIGNING reveal that life is de ned by complexity, diversity, abundance, adaptability, and interconnectedness with For regenerative design, nature is not only a partner ongoing cycles (Miller, 1965; Lyle, 1994; Girardet, but a source of inspiration and the ultimate design 2015), while human designs aim for simplicity, all- ts- guidebook. erefore, gaining an understanding of all-thinking, certainty, and immediacy (Braungart & nature’s functions or “letting nature do the work”, as McDonough, 2002; Cole, 2012). Another element Lyle (1994, p. 38) puts it, is crucial for regenerative de ning the human-designed world is the everlasting design practices. Ecology and living systems thinking growth, often de ned by quanti able measures. In both provide knowledge of the elements, systems, nature, growth exists but is determined by quality processes, and interactions that happen within the (Wahl, 2016). Capra and Luisi (2014) suggest growth
36 ATMOSPHERE: nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide
BIOSPHERE: humans, plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, microscopic organisms
LITHOSPHERE: HYDROSPHERE: soil and solid water surface
Figure 9. Earth’s four natural systems based on Thompson et al. (2018).
LEVEL
Cell
Organ
Organism
Group
Organization
Society
Supranational system
Figure 10. Miller’s model of different levels of living systems, each creating a subsystem or component to the next level and creating complex systems. Changes in one level will have an effect on the others, thus creating continuous dynamic interactions between the levels (Miller, 1965).
37 as life-enhancing but limited, thus it should be support life on Earth in healthy living systems (Wahl, considered as an approach that brings upon a positive 2016). Nowadays it is considered an important part of impact on life when necessary. Similar ideas of equity sustainability studies, and the Center for Ecoliteracy and quality can be found in the four laws of ecology. has de ned ecological principles to guide in design Presented by Barry Commoner (1971), the laws point processes inspired by nature (see Figure 11). out that in nature 1) everything is connected to everything, Based on the patterns of nature, the three modes 2) everything must go somewhere, of ecological order are fundamental approaches 3) nature knows best, and to regenerative design. Lyle (1994) separates them 4) nothing comes from nothing. into structural and functional order and locational rough the laws of ecological systems, the natural patterns. e structural order includes the physical world is organized in multiform ways, adapting to elements of nature and notes that regenerative systems various tasks. are more diverse in structure to o er multiple ways to accomplish a task and to make the whole system Examining the laws of nature and living systems can prosper. e functional order shows that energy teach us to understand the ways nature works, thus and resources should be used with integrity and to literacy in natural systems is essential in regenerative bene t the whole. e locational patterns emphasize design. Initially advocated by David W. Orr and that regenerative approaches should be modi ed to Fritjof Capra in the 1990s, ‘ecoliteracy’ means the t the local environment as each has its own speci c capability to understand how natural systems and resources and processes. e models demonstrate the their processes are organized and function in order to ways nature structures itself according to simple rules.
ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
NETWORKS: All life in an larger systems. This scale- FLOWS: Organisms depend ecosystem is interconnected linking structure means that on a continual f ow of through networks of changes at one scale can energy, water and nutrients relationship def ning life- affect all other scales. to maintain their basic sustaining processes. functions and stay alive. CYCLES: All ecological Solar energy sustains almost NESTED SYSTEMS: Nature communities are def ned all life directly or indirectly is structured as nested and maintained through and drives most ecological systems within systems (or the cyclical exchange of cycles. processes within processes). resources between members. Each individual system is These continual cycles DEVELOPMENT: Whether an integrated whole and is within an ecosystem also individual organisms, whole simultaneously comprised intersect with larger regional species or entire ecosystems, of smaller sub-systems as and global cycles in a scale- all life changes over time. well as being integrated into linking fashion.
Figure 11. Ecological principles def ned by the Center for Ecoliteracy (Wahl, 2016).
38 e laws and orders of ecology guide the way how are carefully cycled for di erent purposes. Human regenerative systems function. In Lyle’s (1994) words, thought reminds us that in order to design and a regenerative system plan for regenerative development, humans need to succumb to the knowledge of nature. provides for continuous replacement, through its own functional processes, of the energy and materials used Whereas ecology and living systems thinking brought in its operation (p. 10). more theoretical thoughts into the regenerative De ned as crucial to sustainability, Lyle (1994) design, permaculture inspired in with its practical draws an image of a regenerative system, inspired by approaches to understand nature. Bill Mollison and how landscapes work, with six phases of ecosystem David Holmgren introduced several design principles functioning (see Figure 12). e phases bring about based on their own tests and ndings on landscapes in a regenerative system where renewable energy from 1978. e twelve design principles follow the natural the sun keeps the system alive while the resources laws of ecology but focus more on caring of the planet
Existing throughput systems
inputs outputs SOURCE CONSUME SINKS WASTE
Ef ciency
Regenerative systems CONVERSION: E.g. in photosynthesis the solar rays become life.
DISTRIBUTION: In order for energy and materials to reach the innumerable members of an ecological community (e.g. in nature winds, water, moving ani- mals).
Distribution FILTRATION: Air and water f ow over and through the CONVER- FILTRA- ASSIMI- landscape, plants and soil act as f lters (nature’s waste SION TION LATION treatment system). ASSIMILATION: Decomposition or reassimilation enriches the soil with detritus and humus and provides nutrients for new plant growth.
STORAGE STORAGE: Materials are held inactive at some points, awaiting eventual reuse (e.g. in tropical rainforest, nutrients are stored mostly in biomass).
HUMAN THOUGHT: Where human development + HUMAN THOUGHT occurs: sustainability (nature’s processes) require it be guided by thought.
Figure 12. The regenerative systems (def ned by Lyle, 1994) compared to the existing linear throughput systems, based on (Hes & du Plessis, 2015). Notable is that regenerative systems also include the human though within their processes. With strategies for regenerative design (Appendix 5), a system can be designed to be holistically functioning and net-positive.
39 but also people, bringing a social aspect on natural Human health and well-being have been traditionally systems functioning (Holmgren, 2002). Although more focused on the social determinants of health, permaculture is nowadays seen as small-scale practice not on the environment. Capon (2017) states that for horticulturalists, the principles laid a foundation especially the aspects of ecological environments for Lyle’s ideas on regenerative design. have been dismissed. In the scienti c discussions, the term ‘environmental health’ describes not only the di erent dimensions of human health a ected 2.2.2. Health and well-being by the environment but also that the physical and of systems social aspects of the environment can have an e ect on health (Srinivasan et al., 2003). Hence, it suggests e aim of regenerative design is to create a net-positive that interactions between human beings and the impact with a system designed for mutual bene ts natural, built and social environments all determine for people and the planet, also considering health health. In relation to regenerative approaches, Wahl and well-being. Reed (2007) notes that regeneration (2016) discusses ‘systemic health’, a holistic approach depends on the ‘health of the whole’ where the health to system health where dynamic and scale-linking of humans and local ecological systems function interactions create health in emergent ways. is as an interactive, co-supportive process. In social- implies that if one part of the system declines in ecological systems, it is recognized that the health of health, the whole system is in danger. the biosphere is fundamental for human health, well- being, and even existence although people might not e current urbanizing lifestyle itself can be recognize this dependence (Folke et al., 2016). Also, challenging in terms of human and environmental Mang & Haggard (2016) stress that for living systems health. Capon (2017) notes that humans still have to be continuously healthy, each part of the system the basic physical and psychological needs of hunter- needs to ll out its individual role. erefore, humans gatherers and that from the perspective of evolutionary contributing to planetary health is critical for the biology, we have not adjusted to urban environments. whole system to function. While humans used to live within nature with a healthy diet and active life, now the modern urban dwellers As the planetary boundaries have shown, exceeding have not biologically adapted to the hectic, loud, and the critical thresholds in natural systems can lead to polluted built environments often lacking anything challenges not only for nature but for societies. Years green (Capon, 2017). If humans have not biologically of degrading the natural environments on the planet adjusted to the current living environments on the have resulted in destroyed ecosystems, biodiversity planet, the considerations of what a ects health and loss, and other disturbing changes in Earth’s systems. well-being need to be reconsidered. WWF (2018) has reported that global populations of mammals, birds, sh, reptiles, and amphibians have e ecological aspect of health suggests that fallen an average of 60% since 1970. e rapid decline nature should be a more imperative part of our is especially alarming as Mang and Haggard (2016) living environments. e health bene ts of nature, remind that biodiversity is key to sustaining the biodiversity, and greenery in urban environments health of ecosystems. erefore, drawing attention have been studied widely, indicating that they have to restoring and enhancing the ecosystems is vital in a positive e ect on physical and psychological health order to foster the social and cultural systems’ health across the whole lifespan of human life (Capon, as well (Wahl, 2016). 2017; Engemann et al., 2019). Also, nature plays a major role in the prevention of di erent diseases and
40 conditions, especially for young children (Paloniemi rather than historical and global. Considering the et al., 2017; Engemann et al., 2019). e green spaces climate, the wind, the water movements, and other and access to nature can provide places for social natural orders when nding the best place to settle meetings, exercise, healthy food, and psychological down is only logical. e place-based model is also restoration improving mental health (Engemann et witnessed within other species of the natural world, al, 2019), while the plants can also attenuate the noise, where it seems that nding its own niche in a speci c lter air pollution, produce clean oxygen and cool the place results in thriving ecosystems (McDonough & urban temperatures (Wolch et al, 2014). e visual Braungart, 2002). connection to nature is improving our focus and lowering our stress levels, while biodiversity, soil, the e connection to place has played an important part contact to nature all improve our immune functioning for thousands of years in human living environments (Shanahan et al, 2015). Brown (2016) also reminds but only in the modern times, at the beginning of the us that considerations on net-positive health should 20th century, the ’place’ was somehow lost for ’space’, include the way we design our buildings, as sick a more abstract, impersonal, and anonymous term building syndrome is becoming a more known health for a speci c physical environment (Lyle, 1994; Cole, risk. e implications of nature’s role in enhancing 2012). To separate the notion of place, Mang and and inuencing the health and well-being of humans Reed (2012) de ne place as follows: strengthen the view that the ecological aspect needs …the unique, multi-layered network of ecosystems to be taken into account when designing systems with within a geographic region that results from the complex regenerative approaches. interactions through time of the natural ecology (climate, mineral and other deposits, soil, vegetation, water and 2.2.4. Place as a starting point wildlife, etc.) and culture (distinctive customs, expressions of values, economic activities, forms of association, ideas for education, traditions, etc.) (p.8) Place, a local context of a system, is the starting point of the regenerative design process (Mang & Reed, As suggested by the de nition, the place is not just the 2012). Examining the place and its local processes physical and natural elements of an environment but it and resources can provide valuable information also includes the more subjective social aspects of life to the designers as each place on Earth is unique. within it. Mang and Haggard (2016) also note that Also, the social-ecological systems of a place are with a place comes a strong emotional connection, characterized by numerous, diverse, and dynamic making the place a meaningful partnership between interactions between human culture and the natural the natural and human worlds. world, making each local place a specialty with its functioning (Mang & Haggard, 2016). erefore, e emotional connection to place is often referred every design must be adapted to a certain place and to as the ‘spirit of a place’ in regenerative design. considered as a living system. Mang and Reed (2016) discuss the essences of a place, created by the people and environment that Place as a foundation for design is also witnessed in have a ected the place throughout its development. the natural world and di erent cultures. McDonough e spirit of a place includes the historical, cultural, and Braungart (2002) note that native people and social aspects of a place, sometimes also speci ed pass knowledge about their living environment to create the soul to it (Mang & Reed, 2016). Cole to the next generations, hence their interpretation (2012) talks about the ‘story of a place’, that pieces out of themselves is eternal and connected to a place, all the aspects of life in a place from di erent scales
41 of times. e stories and spirits of a place emphasize e place also sets boundaries for the system, as it that each place is unique with its interactions and suggests that a place has unique properties and elements and should be empowered as such (Mang & processes that cannot be found anywhere else. With Haggard, 2016). a place, the discussion about the scale of a physical space comes into the picture. Wahl (2016) notes that Emerging as resistance to bulky, uni ed way of biodiversity, cultural diversity, and local wisdom are designing, bioclimatic design4 and bioregionalism most likely to be sustained productively on the regional emerged in the 1960s in the architectural discussions and local scale. He also points out that focusing on (Cole, 2012). Especially bioregionalism is now local and regional context does not mean that sharing considered an essential part of regenerative approaches, knowledge globally and collaborative peer-to-peer as it focuses on the fundamental relationship between networking is to be excluded, referring to the ‘glo-cal’ humans and natural systems in a place (Cole, 2012). world where di erent strategies apply in scale-linking Lyle’s (1994) de nition of bioregionalism suggests a manner for di erent levels (see Figure 13). Hence, the commitment to promote the community’s connection place-based approach in regenerative design aims for to its natural and geographical surroundings and the appreciation of locality that contributes to global resources with a self-organizing approach to evolve. health and well-being for people and the planet. e de nition emphasizes the role of a place in relation to the processes that the place enables. 2.2.5. Co-evolution In regenerative developmental processes, the focus on place can advance learning and creativity by bringing While the importance of the scale of space is described the power back to the community. Sometimes referred with the concept of place, the scale of time is as to as ‘placemaking’, the actions of local people at the important in regenerative approaches. ‘Co-evolution’, local level can have a positive impact with immediate describing a situation where two (or more) actors e ects from a sustainability perspective (Timmeren, mutually have an in uence on each other’s evolution, 2014). An approach for planning, design, and is noted as imperative for regenerative social- management, placemaking can result in public spaces ecological systems (Cole et al., 2013). e evolution in that vitalize the neighborhoods by enhancing the the partnership between humans and natural systems health, well-being, and happiness of the people and means gaining wisdom through collaboration and co- natural environment (Mang&Reed, 2012; Timmeren, existence. Mang and Reed (2012) also remind that the 2014). Mang and Haggard (2016) also suggest that by partnership between humans and nature brings about celebrating the local culture, the harmony between mutual bene ts and greater diversity in life, hence nature and community increases. Endorsing the enhancing the resilience and health of the system. diversity and uniqueness of a place can transform the way we live and value our environment, while also e notion of time as an enabler of knowledge can endorse resilience and regenerative development. be di cult to comprehend for a fast-paced modern society but co-evolution in a place has its ancient roots within indigenous cultures. Wahl (2016) reminds us that the Native American Iroquois Nation made decisions based on the thinking of how it would 4 Bioclimatic design is a design approach in architecture a ect the seventh generation after the current on. where environmental resources of the local climate (e.g. solar is co-evolutionary way of thinking is opposite to energy and wind) are applied in design strategies to create indoor and outdoor thermal comfort and health with natural the managerial one, traditionally connected to the ventilation, passive heating and cooling, and daylighting. human-nature relationship (Cole et al. 2013). Wahl
42 National & international collaboration
Bioregional planning Biopro- Urban planning ductivity & eco- CITY systems Industrial ecology health
Community design “Open everything” Architecture REGION time Human solidarity Product design drives Closing Circular global- the economy local col- Green loops laboration chemistry COUNTRY
Pollution
Transition design Strategic design & resource Service design depletion WORLD
time
Figure 13. The scales of regenerative design from local to global. Source: Wahl (2016).
(2016) also highlights that many solutions are only resources, and social-ecological systems determine momentary, hence questions that reach for a long- the way of designing. term period preserve local wisdom and enforce the notion of a sustainable future. e co-evolutionary partnership between human and natural systems calls for a collaborative way of thinking. Co-evolution is also deeply connected to a place as e place-based co-evolution can bring people gaining knowledge through time requires committed together to share their local experiences, expertise, interaction and interest in a certain area and its and wisdom (Mang & Haggard, 2016) because processes. Lyle (1994) notes that landscapes are shaped the place is what connects them. Cole et al. (2013) by co-evolution between humans and nature, while observe that co-evolutionary partnership demands Mang and Haggard (2016) add that humans, referring for community-engagement with considerations of to indigenous communities, add value within nature by consequences on the future world. As Wahl (2016) increasing biodiversity and productivity. But remarks the co-evolution in collaboration needs humans are also shaped by their surroundings and continuous conversation and learning how nature, as the local context provides knowledge on to participate appropriately in the constantly approaches uniquely suitable for a speci c place transforming life-sustaining processes that we are (Mang & Haggard, 2016). For example, in vernacular part of and that our future depends upon (p. 40). architecture, the particular location with its climate,
43 e collaboration aims for net-positive health refer to ‘systems view of life’, where the relationships and well-being for humans and nature, hence formed by networks are far more important than the the understanding of mutual bene ts of the actual elements, actors, or solutions. Hence, systems partnership is vital. By resetting our minds to think view of life draws the attention to the quality of in a co-evolutionary, holistic manner, regenerative interactions, rather than the quantity of elements. e sustainability can be reached. idea of the whole being more than the sum of its parts also brings the attention to the relationship within networks, the importance of diversity, and patterns 2.2.6. Whole systems approach that enable dynamic behavior (Wahl, 2016). Focusing only on an individual part of the system can hide As nature is lled with complexity and connectivity crucial connections between di erent aspects of living with multiple pathways and networks between systems. erefore, studying the unpredictability of di erent actors and agents, the whole systems thinking life through its complex but fruitful interconnections can be considered as one of the main approaches for can reveal solutions we could have not imagined. regenerative design. For creating ‘a rich picture’ of a situation or environment, the whole systems approach To understand the connections in social-ecological can provide various points of view (Wahl, 2016). systems better, several tools supporting the whole Notable is that ‘whole’ is always relative, as the whole is systems approach and regenerative thinking have comprised of other wholes. As Wahl (2016) explains, been presented. Inspired by an architect and systems ‘a system’ is an organized structure with interlinked theorist Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895 – 1983), components that form consistent patterns that can Anthony Hodgson developed a World System model be considered as a whole. ose systems create larger with International Futures Forum in 2011 (see systems, that are referred to as ‘system of systems’ in Figure 14). e model presents twelve aspects of a regenerative design. regenerative system, and the networks connecting the aspects. e aim of the tool is to raise questions e reductionist thinking, where complex systems on connectivity, rather than provide answers. Wahl are simpli ed and deconstructed to focus on speci c (2016) notes that the tool facilitates transdisciplinary parts of the system, has dominated the modern, collaboration and systemic knowledge on issues industrial ways to design, but it alone does not or crises that can be challenging to understand. support the whole-systems approach needed for Following the IFF World System Model, tools regenerative thinking. Wahl (2016) reminds that focusing on more practical approaches, such as “neither the whole nor parts are primary” (p. 80), thus REGEN (Svec, Berkebile, & Todd, 2012, see Figure reductionist thinking, often related to technological 14) or LENSES (Living Environments in Natural, progress, is part of the dynamic processes needed to Social and Economic Systems) by Colorado State form the whole but cannot be the only approach to University’s Institute for the Built Environment, have designing sustainability. Reed ( 2007) stresses that been developed. Although there is a lack of studies we need to move from the world of mechanics to a to show how useful these tools are, they still provide world of complex and interlinked connections of maps to raise the questions on relationships between social-ecological systems. Capra (1996) continues to di erent dimensions of a whole system. declare that through these networks, sustainability challenges can be solved. While the whole systems approach can be recognized as a powerful way of thinking in terms of regenerative Paying attention to the networks and patterns brings design and development, it can also be challenging upon a holistic view of life. Capra and Luisi (2014) for human beings to comprehend. Wahl (2016) and
44 Figure 14. The IFF [International Futures Forum] World System Model (on top), Hodgson (2011). Below is the REGEN tool, developed by Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell (BNIM) in 2012 for the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
45 Gibbons et al. (2018) point out that regenerative or e ecological worldview, needed for a regenerative whole systems thinking is just not natural for humans. paradigm shift, is based on three cornerstones. As Wahl (2016) puts it: Du Plessis and Brandon (2015) summarize the focal points to be wholeness, the importance of Nobody is born with a holistic and planetary mutually supportive and bene cial relationships, consciousness and full awareness of the co-arising of and embracement of change. e wholeness refers self and world (p. 35). to understanding life on Earth as an interconnected By understanding how our values and worldviews network of social-ecological systems with cognitive are shaped through education and culture, a and emotional connections. e relationships and shift in how we think can be possible (Wahl, processes that come within life’s systems conclude into 2016). Although regenerative thinking is not a ows, cycles, and self-organizing systems, supporting built-in feature of human beings, it can be learned. adaptation. Embracing change refers to the fact that life is unpredictable and dynamic, hence building up resilience is crucial in the regenerative paradigm. 2.2.7. Ecological worldview Although the scienti c knowledge of living systems Opposite to degeneration, the exploitation of Earth’s is emphasized in the ecological worldview, the biosphere and dysfunctioning of its natural systems, values and ideologies are also part of any worldview. regeneration comes into existence from a particular A worldview o ers guidance for our actions, thus worldview, an ecological one. By changing our a ecting how we act, create, think, and inuence perspective into ecological, the design practices can the world. It is vital to understand which beliefs and transform lifestyles towards regenerative sustainability values form our worldview to open up to change (Gibbons et al., 2018). erefore, regenerative can (Capra, 1996; Benne & Mang, 2015). Mang and be considered transformational. Also, Mang and Reed (2012) discuss reective practices as a way Reed (2012) note that regenerative design not only to maintain a healthy relationship with oneself in aims for the reverse of degeneration but to design co- relation to social-ecological systems. An individual evolutionary and mutually bene cial human-nature understanding of one’s motifs and behavior will be relationships to enhance resilience and diversity. the key to transformation.
e ecological worldview sometimes referred to as ‘living systems worldview’ (Benne & Mang, 2015) brings upon a behavioral change and mind shift from the mechanistic worldview (Du Plessis, 2012). Mang and Haggard (2016) emphasize that the current challenges concerning sustainability are not only technical and ecological but also psychological and spiritual. To transform societies into regenerative ones, a fundamental change is needed at every level (Capra, 1996). Lyle (1994) notes that by broadening our knowledge about nature and its processes, the idea of a world as a machine is transformed into more developed ideas of a world as a complex, interdependent, and multidimensional being.
46 47 3 URBAN ECOLOGICAL PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Regenerative design e ideas and strategies of regenerative design have represents a new way of been mainly practiced in the context of agriculture and small settlements, where the presence and connection designing and thinking for to nature are more evident. But as mentioned, most of the global population is living in urban environments sustainability. This chapter while facing constantly accumulating environmental suggests that the approaches and social challenges. Already in his initial notions on regenerative design and development, Lyle (1994) of regenerative design could brings up the idea of ‘Gaia’s garden’, referring to a be introduced into urban global landscape where cities form a thriving garden on Earth with a human partnership. What he also environments. We start notes, is that urban landscape will be the key to by taking a look at what is sustainability. meant with the concept Nature and cities are traditionally considered to be of a regenerative city and two separate entities. As Lyle (1994) remarks, nature has meant more of the countryside or the wild continue to understand the nature that has been saved from human actions and inuence. is dualism between urban and rural, elements of urban ecological wild and built, suggests that nature is apart from planning and design, needed the cities. But as the overarching idea in regenerative design and development brings nature, its elements, for regenerative urban systems, processes, and laws into the spotlight, nature development. can be considered as an inspiration and bene cial partner when designing cities for health, resilience, and sustainability.
e idea of bringing nature into cities has its roots at the beginning of the 20th century. en, Ebenezer Howard introduced the idea of a Garden City (see Figure 15) in Britain, trying to address the increasing health and
48 Figure 15. The model for garden cities by Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928).
well-being concerns caused by industrialization. e approach is needed if a true transformation towards Garden City movement was one of the rst attempts regenerative sustainability is pursued. After all, to bring ecological thinking into city planning and sustainability is not reached by only ‘adding’ nature design, although it represented more a utopian view into cities for pleasurable environments and well- of harmony with nature within a city area (Mang & Reed, 2012). Inspired by Howard, other attempts to bring nature into the cities were tried in the USA and Germany (Girardet, 2015), but were soon succumbed to the modernist thinking in urban planning. 5 ”Eco-cities are cities that enhance the well-being of citizens e Garden City movement and more contemporary and society through integrated urban planning and manage- ment that harness the benef ts of ecological systems and eco-cities’ 5, conceptual ideas, such as ‘ are intriguing protect and nurture these assets for future generations” and experimental, but a more holistic and systemic – The World Bank (n.d.)
49 being, but by creating a network of urban forms • the mainstreaming of e cient, renewable energy that brings together and consolidates both humans systems for human settlements across the world; and nature (Lyle, 1994). Aalto et al. (2018) suggest and that a sustainable future requires us to establish a • new lifestyle choices and economic opportunities relationship between ecology and urban design, in which will encourage people to participate in this addition to reecting what is the ‘ecology of cities’ in a transformation process (p. 2) systemic way. As omson and Newman (2018) put it, the paradigm shift towards sustainable future requires Also emphasized is the relationship between humans the regeneration of Earth’s systems, thus increasing and natural systems, aiming for mutually enhancing, our natural capital with the means of regenerative life-sustaining development, that not only tries to design through human systems and settlements. minimize the ecological footprint of the city but brings a net-positive impact to it (Girardet, 2010). e following chapter outlines the di erent elements, Giving back while gaining from the proactive strategies and concepts that could improve the e orts partnership with nature supports the inclusive health for leveraging urban environments into regenerative and well-being of a city. urban environments. e concept of regenerative cities paints a view of a city that functions as a living system Girardet (2015) backs his ideas of the regenerative city on regional level. By understanding urban ecosystems by introducing the models of Agropolis, Petropolis, and urban metabolism, the urban environment can be and Ecopolis, based on historical structures of cities. designed to support healthy social-ecological systems Agropolis presents a city before industrialization, in a resilient way. e di erent design elements of when humans settled down in places where nature urban design are the tools that shape the landscape, was abundant, thus securing resources for sustaining while ecological strategies chosen to t the purpose life in one place. After the industrial revolution rose steer the design processes. e concepts presented the Petropolis, a city that runs with fossil fuels sourced here are utilized later when investigating the context globally, driven by consumption and political support of Helsinki, laid out in Chapter 4.2. to unrenewable energy. e last model, Ecopolis (see Figure 16), visions a regenerative city that powers itself with renewable energy, circular metabolism, 3.1. Regenerative cities and other regenerative approaches that support social- ecological systems collectively. ese cities have no A concept of ‘regenerative city’ was rst introduced clear boundaries between urban and rural areas, thus by Herbert Girardet for the World Future Council enforcing the locality of food and energy production in 2010 (Girardet, 2010). Later on, his studies and and socio-cultural life. work in cultural and urban ecology led him to write a book called Creating Regenerative Cities (Girardet, One characteristic of a regenerative city is its focus 2015), where he presents more thoroughly his ideas on two supporting systems: the social-ecological on regenerative urban development. Based on the and technical systems. As complex living systems approaches of regenerative design, Girardet (2015) per se, cities are de ned by the connections and suggests that a regenerative city can be achieved when processes between di erent components and actors the following qualities are met: (Pulido Barrera et al., 2018). e living, social- ecological systems form a laboratory for creativity • an environmentally enhancing, restorative and reproduction while developing ideas for the relationship between cities and the natural technical systems, supported by human actions, systems they depend on; innovation, and capital investments (Girardet, 2015).
50 Figure 16. Ecopolis, a model for a regenerative city, envisioned by Girardet and Lawrence (2015), “reconnects to its local hinterland, utilizing renewable energy and regenerative, soil restoring food production systems” (p. 96).
e idea of the regenerative city brings about the de nition by focusing on the social-ecological notion of technical systems as essential to regenerative systems and connections in a mutually bene cial urban development, as long as the interconnected manner while fostering the dynamic equilibrium and relationship between human, natural, and technical abundance of nature. systems is secured. While no city in the world cannot be considered e regenerative aspect of urban development is often regenerative yet, the elements of regenerative simpli ed to a concept of ‘urban regeneration’. To approaches can be fostered in urban planning and clarify, urban regeneration is used in urban planning development. omson and Newman (2018) note but does not refer to regenerative developmental that on one hand, the degraded parts of the city can be processes. e World Bank (2015) de nes urban restored or retro tted through focused improvements, regeneration as a transformational process to tackle hence enhancing the regenerative abilities of a certain urban decay and decline in urban environments. area and advancing a healthy biosphere. On the other But as Girardet (2015) points out, regenerative hand, the highest potential for regenerative urban development in urban environments exceeds this development will be reached with areas that are not
51 yet developed ( omson & Newman, 2018), thus joint planning and design e ort of several disciplines, o ering room for creativity and a holistic approach. aiming for a desired vision of the future. e urban planners, architects, engineers, ecologists, sociologists, e mechanistic worldview (discussed in Chapter lawyers, and economists in addition to decision- 1.3.) has also ruled the ideas and practices of city makers come together to envision and plan a place planning, but a mind shift is in order if regenerative for humans to live and thrive (Palazzo & Steiner, cities are attained. While modern planning used a 2011). e whole process itself requires systemic and standard model of a city or neighborhood without any transdisciplinary approaches, with multiple actors, considerations on local ecology or creativity of humans views, and needs working holistically. But as Palazzo (Newman & Fowler, 1996), the future cities cannot and Steiner (2011) note, urban design with urban comply with the same universal pattern. However, planning often focuses on the transformation of the Timmeren (2014) notes that trusting people making physical environment, rather than the restoration of the ‘right choices’ or being creative towards regenerative local environments and regeneration of ecosystems development can be deceiving, as humans are more (Cole, 2012), let alone the human behavior and complex with their values and behavior than nature’s consumption patterns (Pedersen Zari, 2018). Hence, organisms. erefore, the regenerative approaches the manners and means of how cities are designed for require understanding and integration with urban the future, needs to be fundamentally reconsidered. planning as cities are structured as living systems. e changes in design can happen within the three interlinked elements that constitute a city: urban form, function, and structure. e urban form considers the 3.2. Design approaches spatial structures and physical characteristics, such as for urban ecological density, height, and mix of use, of an area in di erent scales from region to neighbourhood, while the design urban function includes the dimension of the people by describing the di erent activities, operations and When designing urban built environments to improve relations between space and people’s needs (Živković, social-ecological systems and the interlinked technical 2019). Lastly, the urban structures mean the patterns systems, the urban design needs to take a more and arrangements of di erent components, such as ecological and resilient approach. As Girardet (2015) buildings, streets, and open spaces, that form urban puts it: “Good urban design should mimic low-entropy areas (Živković, 2019). All of the three elements are natural systems” (p. 92). Although ‘sustainable’ urban access points for social, environmental, and economic design, aiming for doing less harm, has been part of change towards sustainability, hence design through the design and planning processes for a while, it is these elements can enable regeneration as well. still questionable how much positive e ect it has on the environment (Reed, 2007). Getting inspiration When designing for sustainable urban environments, and seeking solutions from nature can heighten urban urban form, functions, and structures are organized design into another level. To further increase the and managed through urban planning. e focus in potential and positive outcomes, regenerative design urban planning is to arrange the city’s land use to t can o er a deeper and transformational approach to the needs and functions of its inhabitants, businesses, urban ecological design. and institutions. To do that sustainably, several aspects of urban structures should be considered, Built environment - the buildings, infrastructures, as suggested by Sta ans et al. (2008). ese aspects cities, and regions made by humans – is de ned by a include: 1) urban planning, 2) ecological (cities as
52 natural environments) 3) mobility and transport, 4) • application of ecosystem services, urban space and architecture, 5) local governance • adaptation of settlements for natural disasters, and leadership, 6) participation and interaction, • ecological renewal of degraded urban places, and and 7) social (health and well-being). Within these • the ability of people to link knowledge to action structures, urban planning and design can enhance to a ect positive change. (p. 304) the regenerative design approaches considering also the urban ecosystems and metabolisms and forming Živković (2019) remarks that by focusing on building city as a living being rather than a physical, built space. up integrity, adding green spaces in urban areas, and As each country has its own planning processes, the prioritizing human health and well-being are all crucial current process in Finland is introduced in Chapter to adapt and mitigate climate change. In addition, 4.2.3. Mang and Reed (2012) stress the importance of focusing on the attributes of place as it increases the Emphasizing the ecological approach in urban design potential to build up capacity and harmony in social- can help to ght the complex challenges related to the ecological systems. degradation of ecosystems and climate change as well as urbanization and population growth. To tackle these e transformation to regenerative development challenges, Steiner (2014) recognizes the four following requires embedding all the ecological strategies of potentials in urban ecological design and planning: sustainability into one being. ese strategies a ect di erent levels, as seen in Figure 17. While building
Gaia Regenerative development Biome / Region
Regenerative Watershed(s) design
Community Restorative
Neighborhood
Biomimetic Site
Ecological sub-systems
Buildings / Shelter Regenerating Biophilia SCALES OF PATTERN HARMONIZATIONS OF PATTERN SCALES Organisms
Indiscriminate Effi cient Conserve Affi liate Mimic Restore Tend Be resourse use resource resources nature nature nature nature nature Degenerating use
INTEGRATION OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS
Anthropocentric Biocentric
Figure 17. Ecological strategies to sustainaibility. Source: Mang & Reed (2012).
53 design can bene t from biophilic and biomimetic recognizes human beings as a vital part of the system design strategies, neighborhood and community (Mang & Reed, 2012). But it di erentiates from levels can be restorative in their practices (Mang & a regenerative design by considering humans and Reed, 2012). Each context and level bene ts from nature not as partners per se, but rather passers-by the use of speci c ecological design strategy while in an environment where humans participate in building on resilience, and consequently regeneration enhancing the natural systems but leave afterward on the level of the whole planet. (Mang & Reed, 2012). e ecological strategies described above form the basis for regenerative design e di erent ecological strategies take varied and development by integrating nature’s knowledge approaches in regard to the considerations of nature. in multiple ways to urban design processes. Biophilic design declares its ‘love of nature’ by using nature’s elements in the built environment to create From the perspective of resilience, referring to a a multisensory and rich urban place and enhance system’s ability and capacity to reorganize itself when human bonds with nature (Brown, 2016). Palazzo and adapting to changes, urban environments are prone Steiner (2011) point out that in biophilic urban design, to be a ected by environmental changes and social the focus is on the di erent components of green challenges drastically. Building up resilience enforces space, such as green roofs and community gardens, the system’s ability to self-organize and increase its that can be added to urban structures. Biomimicry, capacity in order to learn and adapt to interferences on the other hand, is inspired by nature (Mang & (Timmeren, 2014). Berkes et al. (2003) note that the Reed, 2012). Biomimetic design approaches study overall resilience of societies is determined by the nature and its processes to nd solutions for products, resilience of the natural systems and institutions the buildings, processes, and systems (Mang&Reed, 2012; society depends upon. us, strategies to promote Wahl, 2016). A similar approach to biomimicry is resilience in urban areas are part of e cient urban Cradle-to-Cradle (McDonough & Braungart, 2002) ecological design practices. For social-ecological with a philosophical approach to designing processes systems, such as cities, Biggs and Schlüter (2012) present based on natural orders. e restorative design several principles for social-ecological systems to reach includes more active and integrated approaches as it resilience (see Figure 18). e approaches are aligned
PRINCIPLES FOR RESILIENCE THINKING IN SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
1. MAINTAIN DIVERSITY AND REDUNDANCY 5. ENCOURAGE LEARNING 2. MANAGE CONNECTIVITY 6. BROADEN PARTICIPATION 3. MANAGE SLOW VARIABLES AND 7. PROMOTE POLYCENTRIC GOVERNANCE FEEDBACKS SYSTEMS 4. FOSTER COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS (CAS) THINKING
Figure 18. The principles def ned by Biggs & Schlüter (2012) aiming for resilence in societies.
54 Figure 19. Layer-cake model for ecological land use planning. Source: Ian McHarg (1969).
with the ideas of regenerative design and link together and biochemical cycles within the discourse is vital the potentials and practices of urban ecological design. from the regenerative development’s point of view. e investigation of living organisms and their systems in urban environments creates an understanding of a 3.3. Urban ecosystems city as a living organism itself. Ecology-based thinking was introduced to land While the separation between nature and cities has long use planning by a landscape architect Ian McHarg ruled the views on how cities are built, a new approach in 1969. He suggested that both human and to urban design and planning introduces the notion natural systems and processes are part of the urban of urban ecology. Building and constructing always environment and should be taken into account in damages natural environments, but by understanding planning and decision making (Tahvonen, 2019). that ecosystems are a vital part of urban society McHarg (1969) developed ‘a Layer-cake model’ (see (Gómez-Baggethun & Barton, 2013), the practices and Figure 19), presenting the elements of the biophysical progress can be steered to enhance the health of social- environment with human, abiotic (non-living), and ecological systems in urban environments. biotic (living) elements within it. Laying out the elements that a ect ecosystems in land use planning e eld of urban ecology merges ideas from natural prompted a new view of the practices. sciences, engineering, planning, and social sciences (Niemelä et al., 2011). e aim is to understand the e importance of healthy ecosystems is being urban ecosystems and their resources in di erent acknowledged increasingly in urban design, spatial scales and from multiple viewpoints (Niemelä planning, and decision making from local to a global et al., 2011; Girardet, 2015). Alberti (2008) includes level. Palazzo and Steiner (2011) note that in the the scale of time in the de nition, suggesting that future, urban design will promote the regeneration of urban ecology studies involve social-ecological natural systems and processes. Urban planning has systems in the urban context. Girardet (2015) points a major role in in uencing this progress positively out that including hydrology, climate, biodiversity,
55 in how it allocates land use and cover in terms of out the bene ts and values obtained from ecosystems urban ecosystems (Niemelä et al., 2011). In the (see Figure 20). processes of planning and public policy, ecosystems are often referred to as ‘green infrastructure’ 6 (Gómez- Often, green infrastructure is used to manage and Baggethun & Barton, 2013; Tahvonen, 2019), while organize the natural processes while generating the concept of ‘ecosystem services’ 7 is used for laying ecosystem services for inhabitants of urban environments (Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016; Tahvonen, 2019) and its role in building resilience has been recognized (Pitman, Daniels, & Ely, 2015). Furthermore, ecosystem services safeguard, restore,
6 Green infrastructure (GI) refers to a living network in urban and regenerate the life quality, health, and resilience planning, including public and private green spaces with bio- while decreasing ecological footprints (Palazzo & physical components, and functions as a platform for ecosys- Steiner, 2011; Gómez-Baggethun & Barton, 2013). tem services (Pitman et al., 2015; Tahvonen, 2019). In previous years, the concept of ‘blue-green infrastructure’ (BGI) has But, as noted by Gómez-Baggethun and Barton emerged to emphasize the water systems as well in the design- (2013), in some cases the ecosystem services can ing and planning of urban green (Lamond & Everett, 2019). also cause negative e ects, with health issues related
7 Ecosystem services are def ned as the benef ts gained from to wind-pollinating plants, and VOC compounds, ecosystems, hosted and fostered within green infrastructure. physical structures being weakened by plants or
Food PR G O IN Soil formation V T IS R Fish IO O Photosynthesis N P Clean water I P N U Wood G S Biodiversity Pollination
Habitat ECOSYSTEM Cool temperatures SERVICES Flooding control
Stewardship Water purif cation
Carbon sequestration Aesthetic Air quality C U G L IN T Recreation T U A RA Education L L GU RE
Figure 20. Ecosystem services, categorized into four groups based on their functions; supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural. Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA).
56 feeling insecure in dark areas of parks. However, the the system also evolves during the processes and positive impacts and value that ecosystem services time. If a city is considered as a living system, with bring about are notable and intrinsic for healthy positively healthy ecosystems, the metabolism within living environments. the city is as important.
Part of green infrastructure and ecosystem services, and emerging from ecological urban design are the ’nature-based solutions’ (NBSs). Tahvonen (2019) 3.4. Urban metabolism remarks that nature-based solutions are designed When organisms and ecosystems function, they use to mimic natural processes to tackle the social, metabolism to maintain their vital living processes. environmental, and economic challenges of our time. erefore, the term urban metabolism refers to e nature-based solutions often take into account the interactions of energy and resources between the technical systems in addition to human and natural global environment and cities (Timmeren, 2014; ones, although the main focus is on the dynamics of Kennedy et al., 2011; Newman et al., 2009). For social-ecological systems, self-organization, capacity complex systems such as cities, urban metabolism can to create resilience, and complexity (Germastani & be used as a framework to understand the di erent Benson, 2013; Eggermont et al., 2015). Volkan Oral streams and reactions of elements needed for the city et al. (2020) note that as nature-based solutions to be a healthy living environment. can contribute positively in the mutual well-being of human and natural systems, they are e ective e idea of metabolism comes from nature, where applications for regenerative urban development. the key to a functioning ecosystem is to recycle the output streams from individual organisms back to e urban ecosystems create interconnected linkages the cycle of life. Girardet (2010) points out that this between social and ecological systems that can sort of system metabolism is crucial to all regenerative provide bene ts and valuable resources to societies, practices. e system of closed loops and managed while simultaneously enhancing resilience towards cycles is opposite to the linear use of resources multiple challenges. But for ecosystems to function, as illustrated in Figure 21. In order to attempt to multiple ows of energy, material, and information create a regenerative urban environment, its urban are needed. e ows keep the system running, while
CIRCULAR METABOLISM CITY
Organic waste LINEAR METABOLISM CITY recycled
Food Organic waste Food Minimum Non-renewable CITY Emissions Renewable energy CITY pollution energy & waste Inorganic waste Inputs Outputs Goods Inputs Outputs Goods
Materials recycled
Figure 21. Linear versus circular urban metabolism. Source: Girardet (2010).
57 STRATEGIES FOR URBAN METABOLISM TOWARDS REGENERATIVE CITY
ENERGY: Renewable energy (sun, BIODIVERSITY: Built into every MATERIALS: Can be signif cantly wind, geothermal sources, renewably part of the urban fabric with biophilic reduced if new technologies in powered gas) with energy-ef cient urbanism approaches (enabling building materials and construction buildings and maximizing the green roofs, green walls, the greening techniques (e.g. modular off-site available sites to create renewable of degraded urban land, and water construction) can be used and energy. sensitive design to create more recycling is optimized. habitat opportunities). WATER: Considerable emphasis on TRANSPORTATION: Change water-ef ciency as well as collecting WASTE: Waste can be reduced towards walking and transit systems rainwater and groundwater, and to very small amounts but not while reducing cars in cities creates recycling wastewater. Any excess regenerated unless an extensive greater privacy, space for gardens, is used to help regenerate aquifers amount of energy is used due to including deep-rooted planting for and water bodies in the bioregion thermodynamic limitations. However, trees. Creating opportunities to (these can be done with current the return of carbon, phosphorus, incorporate ecosystem services, technologies). nitrogen, and other trace elements such as biodiversity habitats, carbon to surrounding soils in the bioregion sequestration, and urban agriculture. can be done through recycling. Nutrient recycling to create growing mediums for urban agriculture.
Figure 22. In addition to physical f ows of urban metabolism, Thomson & Newman (2018) point out the f ow of biodiversity as an crucial strategy for regenerative urban metabolism.
metabolism thus needs to be as circular as possible approach as co-evolutionary development in socio- for energy and material use. ecological systems is encouraged.
Analyzing urban metabolism can have a positive impact In regard to designing an urban area and its on a more resilient and sustainable city. It can provide metabolism, the physical infrastructure creates the information about the dynamics of a city relating necessary routes for vital processes. Timmeren (2014) to scarcity, energy use, carrying capacity, and mass lists the types of physical urban metabolism streams conservation (Newman et al., 2009). Also, while aiming to include water supply, wastewater treatment, solid for circularity is the key, omson and Newman (2018) waste management, energy supply, food supply, and point out that reducing the metabolic footprint is also transportation. omson and Newman (2018) also crucial as it enables the city function more resourcefully add the notion of biodiversity, especially in relation and increases the livability of the environment. to regenerative development (see Figure 22). All of these aspects have an e ect on urban fabric when Urban metabolism can be divided into two considered in the design of an area. perspectives: physical and social. While previously the focus has been on the physical elements and A city is also a system of systems, consisting of sub- infrastructure, the social connections between systems, and urban metabolisms vary within di erent di erent streams are considered relevant by several parts of the city. Each city and its areas will function scholars (Kennedy et al., 2007; Timmeren, 2014). e di erently and have their speci c metabolism systems social aspect is particularly relevant in the regenerative depending on their main transportation mode,
58 building typology, and use ( omson & Newman, decisions are made. Timmeren (2014) also adds that 2018). Hence, the design of physical infrastructure for while the aim is not to replace all the global systems metabolism needs to adapt to the location and the of energy and materials, the local and regional needs of the community. e metabolism of the case metabolisms can bring resilience, balance, and social (Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki) studied in this thesis cohesion to the table. is discussed in Chapter 4.2.2. Combining the physical and social aspects of urban While the physical infrastructure of urban metabolism in a meaningful way, will increase the metabolism can be considered as a technical approach transparency of the processes and have a positive to the concept, the social perspective accentuates the e ect on planetary boundaries. Timmeren (2014) people. Kennedy et al. (2007) introduces the idea of mentions that a more bottom-up approach to decision- socio-economical interactions a ecting how urban making and designing of cities could bring awareness metabolism functions. is results not only in growth and action closer to each other. In addition to this, in quality, e cient energy production and resource omson and Newman (2018) highlight that to address use, and elimination of waste (Kennedy et al., 2007; climate change and biodiversity loss, regenerative Girardet, 2015) but also helps to build communities approaches with considerations of the urban fabric and teach them to self-organize (Timmeren, 2014). and biophilic urbanism need to be included when ‘Circular economy’, as part of the social aspect of designing sustainable and regenerative cities. urban metabolism, is already highly encouraged in national policies and urban planning (Girardet, To summarize, the design of urban living 2015). e human aspect, therefore, plays a vital role environments should be leveraged to aim for in creating sustainable environments concerning how regenerative design and development to adapt to an the functions, services, and economies of societies are unforeseen future. Considering the ecosystems, local being built. context, and relationship between humans and nature in urban design and planning can help to make the In a global world, a city hardly cannot be a closed transformation. While the objective is to focus on system, but the action can be done locally. e sharing fundamental changes in the local level, regenerative of knowledge and connection between people and the development can attain the whole planet when environment can result in ‘re exibility’ as described by di erent ecological design strategies are embedded Timmeren (2014), calling the attention to interact and in a scale-linking manner (Wahl, 2016). By utilizing participate with the users in the design, construction, di erent design approaches, acknowledging the and management of the built environment. Because urban ecosystems, improving urban metabolisms, urban metabolism needs to be adjusted to its local and opening up to partnering with nature in a context and aiming for resilience, adaptability, and holistic and systemic way, the planet and people will transformability, including people within the processes gain health, well-being, and resilience. and creating a safe space for experiments can help in ‘place-making’ (Timmeren, 2014).
e co-evolutionary way of change with physical and social perspectives to urban metabolism could also help to transform society. Rapoport (2011) suggests that the notion of urban metabolism can facilitate more sustainable use of resources when political
59 Image 2. Visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta’s Haakoninlahti neighborhood. Source:60 City of Helsinki, Tyko Saarikko (2011). CASE STUDY
PART II REGENERATIVE APPROACHES IN HELSINKI
“Enlightened designers are making attempts to better mimic the natural patterns enabled by diversity in natural systems. We need more e orts like this, reminders of what true urbanism actually looks like: an ecosystem.”
- Mary Rowe, 2019
61 4 KRUUNUVUORENRANTA - FROM OIL HARBOR TO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD
This chapter introduces one 4.1. The system of upcoming district in Helsinki, systems Finland: a seaside area of Kruunuvuorenranta. With its While Kruunuvuorenranta could be examined on its own, the urban environment is much more innovative, ecological approaches and complex. Cities are considered complex adaptive systems, characterized by interactions between the elements of regenerative thinking, di erent parts of the system (Pulido Barrera et al., Kruunuvuorenranta sets boundaries 2018). ese smaller systems nested within a larger system create emergent patterns that cannot be to study and discuss regenerative controlled. Each system is also interdependent and design in urban context from different inseparable from each other (Mang & Haggard, 2016). erefore, although the focal place of this planning and design levels. In addition study is the district of Kruunuvuorenranta, it will to document analysis, qualitative create a wider understanding of the City of Helsinki and the region of Uusimaa in Finland (see Figure semi-structured interviews were 23). By investigating this system of systems and the connections within it, the scale-linking regenerative conducted to understand what the approaches can be recognized. state of play is when designing the
City of Helsinki. 4.1.1. Finland – steering to sustainability and well-being
Finland has many elements and strategies that support and enable the evolution from sustainable to regenerative. Voted to be the world’s happiest nation third year in a row in the UN’s World Happiness Report 2020 (Helliwell et al., 2020), Finland can be considered to take care of its 5.5 million citizens’
62 Nordic, European, ...
Finland
Uusimaa
Helsinki
Kruunuvuorenranta
Figure 23. Kruunuvuorenranta is a system by its own, nested within larger urban systems.
well-being when it comes to designing and governing 2016, the Finnish government has been responsible for society and environment. As an innovative, technology- the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 agenda oriented, Nordic democracy and welfare state with a (Prime Minister’s O ce, 2020). e 2030 Agenda aims vast amount of nature within its boarder, Finland has for a more holistic and interconnected view, emphasizing the tools for achieving well-being and sustainability. that one goal cannot be solved in isolation.
In Finland, the urbanization is further compared In Finland, two focus areas have been chosen to to global levels with almost 72% of the Finnish implement the 2030 Agenda in the national level. population living in urban areas (Statistics Finland, e rst one, focusing on environmental aspects, is to 2018). e compact way of living in urban achieve “a carbon-neutral and resource-wise Finland”, environments creates challenges especially for the while the second target social aspects by “securing non- future when even more people are moving from rural discrimination, equality and a high level of competence” areas to the cities in look for education and work (p. 17) with policy principles of long-term action and opportunities. is creates pressure to build cities in a transformation, policy coherence, global partnership, way that they will secure the well-being of its citizens ownership and participation (Berg et al., 2019). e in a changing world. goals are monitored through annual reporting.
Sustainable development in Finland is steered Especially the importance of environmental aspects through various international and national strategies is emphasized in the latest version of e World by the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Happiness Report (2020) which states the natural Development (Prime Minister’s O ce, 2020). e environment and the connection to nature are crucial UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) are part to human well-being. Being the most forested country of Finland’s national policy, and after adopting the in Europe as well as having thousands of lakes and Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development in long coastlines (Ministry for Foreign A airs, 2011),
63 the nature is easily accessible and part of the Finnish the goal of carbon-neutrality, the change requires re- identity. Hence, the nature in Finland should not thinking of the energy and transport systems but also only be considered as a resource for economic stability a mind shift in the ways people behave. but rather a partner to enhance the health and well- being of society. In charge of strategizing the regional development of Uusimaa towards a carbon-neutral future is the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council. In its current 4.1.2. Uusimaa region program (2018), their vision is: “Helsinki Region 2050 – Cool & the most Vibrant region in Europe”, ‘cool’ Situated in Finland’s southernmost coast by the signaling climate-awareness, tourism growth and a Baltic Sea, the Uusimaa region is the most populated positive atmosphere, and ‘vibrant’ for active, energetic, of Finland’s 19 regions (in Mainland Finland and and enterprising inhabitants, and technological the Province of Åland) with 1.7 million inhabitants. business pioneers. e strategic priorities consist of Although the urban capital city area of Helsinki human well-being and competence, successful and is located within Uusimaa, the region includes responsible business, and climate-aware and diverse 25 other municipalities and has varied landscape regions. All of the strategies also include objectives for and infrastructure with small towns, villages, rural 2018-2021 (see Figure 25). areas, and islands (Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Council, 2020a). e regional development is directed through plans8 based on national and regional strategies and the As the metropolitan area of Greater Helsinki is Land Use and Building Act. e plans guide the use located within Uusimaa, the region is exceptional of areas and urban structure on a larger scale. In the in its population size in Finland. It is estimated that near future, sustainable development and nature will by 2035, the population in Uusimaa will grow with be taken further into account with the new Helsinki- 200,000 inhabitants (Helsinki Uusimaa Regional Uusimaa Land Use Plan 2050. It aims to steer Council, 2020a). Already locating one-third of sustainable growth and regional balance, adapt and Finland’s workplaces, the people from more rural mitigate climate change, use nature and its resources areas are moving towards the metropolitan region. e sustainably, increase welfare and attractiveness, and pressure for the Uusimaa region to develop sustainably be sustainability competitive (Helsinki-Uusimaa while providing places to live, e cient mobility, and Regional Council, 2020b). e new plan will take a services for its citizens, is growing as is the need to more holistic approach to land use. react, mitigate, and adapt to climate change.
Following the national target, Uusimaa aims to be carbon-neutral by 2035. e carbon emissions in the Uusimaa region mainly come from the district heating and road tra c (see Figure 24). e largest change needs to happen in the energy system, as at the moment only 12% of the energy is produced renewably (Helen, 2019). Transportation is another major issue. While the Uusimaa area has the widest 8 At the moment, six regional land-use plans are in force in the Helsinki-Uusimaa region, each of them adding to the previous or public transport system in Finland, people still tend to focusing on a specif c area or theme of land use (e.g. waste- choose private cars for their travels. In order to reach water treatment).
64 14.3% Electricity Electric heating District heating Oil heating Other heating Industry Machinery 28% Road transport Rail transport 29.2% Water transport Agriculture Waste treatment F-gases
Figure 24. The emission distribution of Uusimaa region in 2018. District heating, road transport and electricity are the most prominent sources of the region’s emissions. Source: SYKE – Finnish Environment Institute (2018).
Figure 25. Vision, strategic priorities and objectives of Uusimaa region. Source: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council (2018).
65 In the upcoming plan, the sustainability challenges While the city’s strategy is renewed every four years have been addressed through several design with a new city council, the current vision of Helsinki principles. e principles underline the importance of until 2021 has been stated as “ e Most Functional City changing to renewable energy, supporting the public in the World”, re ecting on concrete actions towards transport system by densi cation, mitigating climate ‘a good life’ (City of Helsinki, 2017a). e human- change and enhancing biodiversity through green centered approach to designing Helsinki is evident in infrastructure, and supporting circular economy its strategy, pointing out themes such as inclusiveness, and smart use of resources (Helsinki-Uusimaa social cohesion, and trust. As their most essential task, Regional Council, 2018). Also, ecosystem services the strategy points out ‘securing sustainable growth’, and connectivity of biodiversity are considered from again emphasizing the growth as a city, securing a stronger perspective, suggesting the appreciation of jobs, homes, and services for the citizens. Trying healthy ecosystems is increasing in planning practices. to acknowledge the pressure of urbanization and population growth but also the ecological boundaries, the city is challenged by its future. 4.1.3. City of Helsinki Addressing climate change, the city has created Located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, an action plan for carbon-neutrality by 2035. e Helsinki is the largest city in Finland with 650,000 climate-smart way of designing and planning the inhabitants. Founded in 1550 under a Swedish rule, sustainable city stresses that nature can be part of the the city has also been part of the Russian Empire solution for mitigating CO2 emissions and adapting before the independence of Finland in 1917. Being to new climatic conditions while supporting the well- a capital city, nowadays Helsinki is the center for being of urban dwellers (see Figure 26). e approach political and economic functions and an access point points out that for future Helsinki, there is a need for a to other parts of Finland. While being an urban hub, holistic view and quick actions through case-by-case. nature is still an essential part of the city’s identity In the 1990s the ecologically pioneering area of Eko- and appeal since there are over 120 kilometers of Viikki showed a di erent way of imagining a city, and shoreline and almost 40% of green space in its land the new districts in Helsinki have continued to adopt area (City of Helsinki, 2019). solutions for sustainable and smart development. Especially Honkasuo and Kuninkaantammi have Migration within Finland from rural to urban areas been marketed as climate-smart districts (City of has been increasing in the past decades, pushed by the Helsinki, 2016). structural changes inherited from the transformation of industrial to service-based society (Loikkanen & e municipality of Helsinki is responsible for the Laakso, 2016). But Helsinki also attracts people with city planning and implementation, following the its education, work prospects, and urban life, creating aims stated in the regional plan. Answering to the a pressure to t all the people now and in the future population growth of the region, the main objectives within the city. According to VTT (Vainio, 2016), of city planning in Helsinki is to produce around there is a clear shortfall of dwelling production. As the 5,500 new housing units annually (City of Helsinki, population in the Uusimaa region and in Helsinki will 2020a). To add, an e cient public transport network only rise in the future years, the densi cation of current with walking and cycling options is emphasized as neighborhoods and building new ones is strongly being part of the solution to mitigate climate change, indicated in Helsinki’s agenda. with a focus on building new residential areas and in- ll construction, especially on rail transport routes.
66 GOALS OF CLIMATE-SMART CITY PLANNING
1 CARBON EMISSIONS: Contribute to the lowering 4 QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT: of carbon emissions through spatial planning by Develop innovative environmental solutions for the having a compact city structure and a high quality management of a growing city in order to ensure public transport system. This in turn requires the Helsinki is also a healthy city in the future. reduction in private car dependency by giving priority in spatial planning to walking, cycling and 5 HELSINKI’S GREEN NETWORK: public transport in terms of improving the city Plan and strengthen the city’s nature and structure and quality of life. recreational green network through its f nger- plan structure. Additionally, forward planning of 2 ADAPTING TO CHANGE: Anticipate the changes the future green infrastructure will be used as an in climate conditions in order to take account of integrated holistic programme in which nature these changes in spatial planning for the future and green areas are built into new developments benef t of a resilient city. through the design of courtyards, green roofs and urban stormwater management systems. 3 CARBON NEUTRAL CITY: Create as a precondition of spatial planning that all plans should aim to be carbon neutral and energy ef cient in their implementation so that they achieve a carbon neutral city structure in the long term.
Figure 26. City of Helsinki is taking steps towards more sustainable city planning with its climate-smart city strategy. Source: City of Helsinki: Climate-smart Helsinki – Towards more sustainable city planning (2017b).
Image 3. Visualization of the green areas (without the private yards) in Helsinki from the VISTRA report 67 (“Vihreä ja merellinen Helsinki”, 2013). Image by Sirpa Törrönen (2010). 4.2. Kruunuvuorenranta – an urban island
4.2.1. The place
Looking to the east from the city center of Helsinki, a new residential area of Kruunuvuorenranta is being built. Once a mostly closed area from the citizens, an old oil harbor in the southwestern part of Laajasalo island, is transformed into a diverse residential district with seashores and close access to nature. Branded as ‘the district of light’, with old oil silos turned into light installations, it is only three kilometers from the central Helsinki, and new bridges are being built for easy access to the area with a tramline and roads for cyclists and pedestrians. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) Image 4. Kruunuvuorenranta aerial image before construction. Source: City of Helsinki (2011). e terrain on the area is rocky and leveled, although the heavily transformed oil harbor eld is at. Most of the Kruunuvuorenranta area has been altered by a man at some point, and only the northern parts and townhouses, high-rise apartment buildings, and small islands south of the area consist of natural terraced houses, communal buildings, courtyards and environments (see Image 2 for aerial image). Hence, gardens, beach boulevards, and canals. e area will the area can be considered suitable for regenerative also hold basic services, such as a day-care center, a development, as the aim is to create a healthy, school, and a commercial center. sustainable, and culturally interesting place into an area that once was shut down brown eld. (City of With a six-kilometer shoreline, the natural landscape Helsinki, n.d.) in Kruunuvuorenranta gives a view of typical southern Finland’s coastal areas and the nature of the Consisting of nine residential neighborhoods, archipelago. e rocky hills rising from the sea give a mix of apartment buildings, and single-family the district a special personality compared to many housing, the construction of Kruunuvuorenranta started already in 2010, the development estimated to continue until 2030. Most of the area will be densely built, marketed as ‘urban living on an island’ (City of Helsinki, 2011). Providing homes for 13,000 residents, the district is designed for a social mix: there will be options for rented, owner-occupied, Hitas9, 9 Hitas is a housing price-and-quality control system used in Helsinki. With regulated maximum prices, Hitas is aimed at and right of residence housing (City of Helsinki, ensuring that housing prices are based on real production costs 2011). e neighborhood will consist of urban villas (City of Helsinki, 2020).
68 Image 5. The visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta based on the town plan. Source: City of Helsinki (2019). 69 other areas in Helsinki, where the terrain is usually at with their parks and agricultural elds provided and built with land llings. e built environment in an escape from the nearby city, and a steamboat Kruunuvuorenranta is designed to embrace the rocks brought citizens to the island. Industrialization made and varying heights of the landscape, also adding agriculture more e cient, thus the dwellings of the the possibility of having views to the sea from the workers were converted to much more desired summer apartments. In addition, the area encompasses three villas. By the Second World War, there were over 300 nature conservation areas with nature paths, a forest villas throughout the island. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) pond Kruunuvuorenlampi and a new beach for the citizens to enjoy. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) While being abundant with game and sh, the rich minerals of the area were also noticed. From the 18th e mix of urbanism within the archipelago is being century, several mining companies tried to excavate built in careful consideration of the environment. iron and silver in Laajasalo but the industry died Sustainable urban development is emphasized out after realizing there was not enough to mine. throughout the planning and building of the area, as Nevertheless, the location by the sea provided a great stated by the project director (in 2014-2019) Pirjo Sirén place for distribution through several harbors, and (Katro, 2019). In addition to the industrial oil harbor many of the manor lords had their own steamboat area being cleaned and built for residential living, companies to pro t from the island’s natural an innovative pipeline-based waste collection system resources. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) Rode will make recycling easier for the residents. Helen Ltd (the energy company in Helsinki) also e years of wars resulted in societal changes and the investigates the possibility to build the world’s rst City of Helsinki slowly got the ownership of the villas seasonal energy storage facility in the rock caverns of of Laajasalo, only leaving a few private ownerships. Kruunuvuorenranta, utilizing the warm seawater of e increasing need for oil forced the City of Helsinki summer months (Helen, 2018). to rent areas of Kruunuvuorenranta to Shell Oil Company to establish an oil harbor in the 1920s. By the 1950s, the oil harbor area had been extended to HISTORY comprise most of the current Kruunuvuorenranta, and many of the old villas were destroyed. (City of Starting from a small shing village in the middle Helsinki, n.d.) ages, the area of Kruunuvuorenranta has a varied history. Being on the shores of Itämeri and close Kruunuvuorenranta has been envisioned as a to major markets of Helsinki, shing as trade was residential neighborhood for a long time, but the popular, hence resulting in quarrels about shing transformation started only after 2010 when the spots between the villages and citizens. In the 17th leasing contracts of the oil companies ended in the century, the city’s bourgeois was growing prosperous area. e vibrant history of life in the archipelago, and started to vacate the land and build their manor romantic villas, and the industrialized world are part houses to Laajasalo island, causing increasingly ghts of the creation of ‘a place’. ese are taken into account about land ownership and shing rights. (City of when designing and planning the neighborhood that Helsinki, n.d.) tries to gaze into the future with glimpses of the past. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) e romantic country life with garden parties and boat trips grew its popularity in the 19th century, and Laajasalo provided all the elements. e manor estates
70 4.2.2. The metabolism of MATERIAL AND WASTE Kruunuvuorenranta In a globalized world, the materials of our everyday Being part of a larger city, the urban metabolism of life come from all over the planet. But material Kruunuvuorenranta is tied into the metabolism of cycles are deeply linked to waste cycles as many of Helsinki. As explained in Chapter 3.3., in regenerative the products we purchase will end up in the trash at design urban metabolism aims for closed loops and some point. erefore, focusing on consuming less, managed cycles of materials, waste, water, energy, and and managing waste in circular systems is critical. In biodiversity ( omson & Newman, 2018). Timmeren Kruunuvuorenranta the waste recycling is designed to (2014) also adds food supply and transportation to be easy in an innovative way. Rode (see Figure 27), be relevant parts of urban metabolism as they play a pipeline-based waste collection system creates a a signi cant role in the physical infrastructure of a network of pipes where municipal solid waste is moved city. While Kruunuvuorenranta is not designed to to waste collection stations reducing the amount of function on its own with a closed metabolism, it transportation (Rode, n.d.). Finland’s legislation on can be bene cial to analyze its metabolism in order waste management details how the di erent sorts of to understand what can be done in the district level waste are reused as recycled material, incinerated for when looking at the metabolism at the city level. energy, or converted into biogas.
Figure 27. Rode waste management system in Kruunuvuorenranta. Source: Rode ( n.d).
71 SEA LAKE PÄIJÄNNE
Electricity Advisory and heat Waste water service treatment Information Water production Biogas Stormwater treatment management Sludge treatment TECHNICAL LOOP BIOLOGICAL LOOP Nutrients HELSINKI METROPOLITAN AREA
Forwarding for reuse Biowaste Electricity Nutrients management and heat Waste management Ämmässuo Final disposal
Electricity Waste-to- and heat energy plant Electricity and heat
Figure 28. HSY operates in circular economy. Source: HSY (n.d.).
Within the Helsinki, HSY (Helsinki Region WATER Environmental Services) produces waste management and water services in addition to information about e water provided for residents in Helsinki is from the environment. eir aim is to transition towards Lake Päijänne in central Finland. While the water is circularity as much as possible (see Figure 28). e led to Helsinki in a rock tunnel, the ow of water EU’s target for recycling rate of municipal solid also produces electricity. After using the water in waste10 is 60% by 2030, and Finland is now recycling households and industries, two wastewater treatment around 50% (HSY, 2018). plants sort the wastewater, separating the sludge and nutrients for soil and biogas for energy (see Figure 28). Afterward, the water is led to the Baltic Sea which makes the right treatment of phosphorus and nitrogen especially crucial, as they can cause eutrophication in the sea (HSY, 2018).
e densely built environment has an increasing e ect on local hydrology. As the city is being built,
10 Municipal solid waste (’yhdyskuntajäte’), commonly known the impermeable surfaces block the natural water as trash or garbage, includes household waste and to that cycles of an area. is is already causing problems similar waste from other sources, such as commerce, of ces, in many places in terms of stormwater management public institutions and selected municipal services. It also includes bulky waste and is not restricted to waste collected by when the sewer systems cannot function well during municipal authorities (HSY). heavy rainfalls.
72 Based on the local detailed plan of Kruunuvuorenranta, their reuse has been a seasonal energy storage facility, the rain and drainage waters of the area are led to planned by Helen and the caverns’ owner Skanska the surrounding sea areas (City of Helsinki, n.d.). (Helen, 2018). During the summer months, the Because the area will be densely built mostly on top warm seawater would be pumped into the caverns of bedrock, the possibilities for nature-based solutions and deliver heating energy for the houses. To add, the for stormwater management are limited. e solutions surplus solar energy collected from the buildings can based on retention can be used in the area. But still, be then transferred to the district heating system via new innovations are needed in planning and building the heat pumps. regulations and policies in order to consider the natural water cycles holistically (Sta ans et al., 2008). While the seasonal energy storage facility is still in the level of idea, the district relies on non-renewable energy sources of the Helsinki region. At the moment FOOD only 12% of the energy is produced renewably in Helsinki (Helen, 2019). Although some buildings Food is part of the material and waste ows, and in might have solar panels on the roofs or using the modern world produced and imported globally. geothermal energy locally, these are mostly exceptions Kruunuvuorenranta or even Helsinki are not aiming to rather than mainstream. is will hopefully change produce their food locally for all of its citizens. Having in the upcoming years as Helsinki transitions the said that, the trend of urban agriculture has been energy system towards renewable energy sources. rising on the grass root level, and Kruunuvuorenranta o ers garden plots, rooftop gardens, and communal gardening spaces for its residents. Although urban BIODIVERSITY gardening cannot produce the large quantities of food needed for the district, it can be considered as a source Healthy urban ecosystems foster biodiversity, the of recreation, community creation, and education. di erent varieties of life on Earth, which enhances altogether the social-ecological systems. Biodiversity However, food production has been somewhat considered has only recently been addressed in city planning and when designing the area of Kruunuvuorenranta. In the design, recognizing its psychological and physical interviews (see Chapter 5) an architect and planner for bene ts for well-being and health (Kaplan & Kaplan, the district mentioned that one of the rock caverns in the 1989; Vähä-Piikkiö, 2018). omson and Newman area could be used for mushroom cultivation and even (2018) suggest that including biodiversity in urban additional restaurant for local people. Alternatively, the fabric is an essential part of designing a regenerative cavern could hold a server center, producing energy for urban area. e approach of biophilic urbanism is the area. e nal plans for the cavern have not yet encouraged by supporting nature-based solutions and been made. a mixture of natural environments within a city to enhance rich and healthy biodiversity.
ENERGY e basis for Helsinki to endorse biodiversity is high compared to many other European cities. Almost Kruunuvuorenranta is also a district where new 40% of the city’s land surface is covered with di erent renewable energy solutions can be tested. Being an types of public green spaces (Jaakkola et al., 2013). old oil harbor area, beneath the Kruunuvuori area Moreover, the private green areas such as private in the northern part of the district lies caverns that gardens, closed islands, and crop elds add the feel of were once used as oil storages. One of the ideas for nature in the urban environment. Also, two-thirds of
73 the aerial surface of Helsinki is water (Jaakkola et al., Being a maritime district on the island of Laajasalo 2013), making the marine biodiversity a great part of and having a long shoreline by the Baltic sea, the the natural system. nature of the archipelago is close by. e shores and wetlands with ridges and smaller islands create In contrast, Helsinki is also the most densely built natural habitats for ora and fauna, being especially city in Finland. e population densities vary within signi cant to birdlife and sh. A new beach in the the region, the southern part, and central Helsinki southern part of Kruunuvuorenranta ensures an being the most populated (Jaakkola et al., 2013). additional recreational place for the citizens. To add e dense urban infrastructure brings challenges on to the biodiversity of the archipelago, the area holds how to design a city that provides not only habitats several diverse natural environments also inland. for people but also for the other forms of life. One of With nature conservation areas, urban forests with the agendas in Helsinki has been changing the harbor paths, ponds, neighborhood parks, courtyard and and industrial sites into residential and recreational terrace gardens, and manor estate of Stansvik with neighborhoods, also followed in Kruunuvuorenranta. park and allotment gardens create a varied landscape is way the city grows into areas where there is and environment for many di erent species. In the something to regenerate and rejuvenate, trying to nature studies of the area, especially the rocky forests avoid destroying the existing natural environments. on the northern part and ridges in Tahvonlahti were considered important. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) Another way to secure the biodiversity and nature in Helsinki is putting emphasis on the green network in the city’s structure (Vähä-Piikkiö, 2018). e TRANSPORTATION concept of green ngers has been part of Helsinki’s city plan since the 1970s (City of Helsinki, 2013). e As an island, Kruunuvuorenranta is not along any green ngers, reaching from the sea to the northern larger main roads to or from Helsinki. Currently, parts of the city, with transverse green connections the only access to the area is 10 kilometers long, between them, create a network of green areas from via Herttoniemi, therefore, it has been essential urban forests to smaller parks that enable the ow of to ensure the district is accessible for the citizens, biodiversity. Also, the aim is that Helsinki residents especially considering the area’s relevantly short aerial could reach a green area within ve minutes’ walk distance from the center of Helsinki. As the area is from their home (Jaakkola et al., 2013). For the also considered as a recreational spot for the citizens citizens, the green areas are valuable aesthetically and with a beach and natural environment, the transit- ecologically, but also give cultural experiences, and oriented development with new bridges from the support well-being and health. central Helsinki will support the accessibility and pedestrian-friendly urbanism in Kruunuvuorenranta. For Kruunuvuorenranta, the regional plan of (City of Helsinki, n.d.) Uusimaa points out a need for a green belt on the southern shorelines of the district, and the city plan Kruunuvuorenranta is separated from the city center 2002 remarks many parts outside the oil harbor area of Helsinki by the Kruunuvuorenselkä bay area. In to be signi cant for cultural, landscape, or historical the future, the new Crown Bridges (Kruunusillat), reasons. e diverse blue and green areas have been consisting of three separate bridges hopping via smaller one of the main attractions for the residents and islands, will be built for a tramline, cyclists, and visitors of the area, and their recreational value is pedestrians. e construction of the bridges is estimated notable. (City of Helsinki, n.d.) to start in 2021, continuing to 2026 (City of Helsinki, 2020b). e bridges will provide shorter access to
74 the center’s services and culture for the residents of Designing a city and a new district requires knowledge Kruunuvuorenranta, but also o er a recreational place and decisions from many various experts, o cials, for all the citizens within the inner city. specialists, and decision-makers. ‘Designing’ in this context refers to shaping the urban environment, When taking regenerative approaches into a part of a system, through land use planning, consideration, focus on the pedestrian-friendly envisioning, and building of an area. e process is neighborhood is essential. e public transport a multidisciplinary one, steered by political decisions system can reduce the number of private cars, thus and o cial visions of a region, and many actors are lowering the carbon emissions from tra c, but it can needed in the process. In Appendix 6 the actors of also support well-being and health by encouraging to Kruunuvuorenranta are listed and organized based move, connect to the environment and create cultural on their roles in the process. interactions. Furthermore, Mang and Reed (2016) note that transit-oriented development can enable Based on her analysis of local planning and housing density that allows also commerce, hence implementation processes in Finland, Väyrynen creating a true and vibrant urban neighborhood. (2007) states that several issues hinder the development of a new area. One of them is that the vision created for the development is not re ected in 4.2.3. The process and actors in the implementation phase. Also, the information is Kruunuvuorenranta not transmitted throughout the process, resulting in breaks and possible misinterpretations. e nal issue e process of creating a new residential district such is that the developmental process inherently stops after as Kruunuvuorenranta follows a traditional planning the construction is done, leaving the residents and process in Finland (see Figure 29), pursuing the aims municipal authorities to occupy and govern the area. of di erent planning levels from regional to local detailed plans. Including actors from di erent levels ese issues are especially problematic when aiming from public and private sectors with multiple goals to design a sustainable district and community. As and visions, the timeline of a single development can Sta ans et al. (2008) highlight the entire chain of take up to decades. the process from goals to maintenance and follow-up
3 Municipal administration 1 Elected of cials Landowners, developers Consultants Constructors
User needs Inhabitants 2 User satisfaction Other users
Defi ning vision Planning Construction Construction Use & & objectives planning maintenance
Town plan Building permit
Figure 29. The planning and implementation process in Finnish context. Source: Väyrynen (2007).
75 has to be aligned with the original vision to create Kruunuvuorenranta is displayed. On the next level, the truly sustainable development. e co-evolutionary Helsinki city plan 2002 is partly in e ect concurring way of designing in regenerative development also with a partial city plan of Kruunuvuorenranta from emphasizes this approach. 2011. ese plans indicate areas for di erent housing densities and a local urban center with mixed-use A major part in designing a new urban district is development with green areas. e route for a land use planning. It shapes the use of the natural tramline is also outlined. e nal planning levels environments for the built environment and guides then split the district into neighborhood-level plans, the use of natural resources and sustainable activities with detailed regulations and design principles for (Sta ans et al., 2008). In Finland, the creation each component of urban structure. of a healthy, functional, safe, and inclusive living environment is governed through e Land Use and Building Act (Ministry of Environment, 2016). e act aims to promote sustainable development, organizing the land use activities, fostering the landscape and natural resources, health, and well- being, and ensuring the quality of it in every level of planning (MRL 39 §).
e regional, city, town, and local detailed planning have all their speci c goals and tasks and are hierarchical to each other. While the regional plan focuses on broader visions for longer periods, the plans get more detailed as the area goes smaller and towards the construction phase. Still, the goals stated in the higher-level plans have to be taken into account in the nal local detailed plans.
e city planning is designed and organized through several planning levels. e city plan11 (‘yleiskaava’ ), the town plan12 (‘osayleiskaava’), and the local detailed plans 13 (‘asemakaava’). e town plan and especially the local detailed plans are the levels, where place- speci c regulations are laid for the design and construction of a site. e regulations can be very explicit, determining anything from buildings heights to possible greenhouses on the courtyard. On the other 11 The city plan organizes the land use purposes within a city, hand, some themes of the plan can be very open, left directing also the transportation and traf c routes. for the architects and buildings companies to decide. 12 The town plan directs the district-level land use and con- struction. The urban structures def ned in the town plan include In the di erent planning levels of Kruunuvuorenranta residential areas, green areas, places for services and work, (see Figure 30), the current regional plan of Uusimaa transportation, and other components that create a city. states the area to be a densi ed, built-up area with 13 Local detailed plans focus on a specif c area or neighbor- recreational green areas and green belts. Also, a need hood and its construction. After the local detailed plan is ap- for transport connections from the central Helsinki to proved by the city council, the construction on the site begins.
76 Regional plan for Uusimaa Kruunuvuorenranta
City of Helsinki master plan 2002 Level of detail in planning
Partial city plan for Kruunuvuorenranta 2011
Local detailed plan for neighbordhood in Kruunuvuorenranta
Figure 30. Kruunuvuorenranta def ned in different planning levels. Source: City of Helsinki and Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
77 78Image 6. The town plan for Kruunuvuorenranta. Source: City of Helsinki. 5 DISCUSSING THE INTERVIEW FINDINGS
Now, after contemplating on To understand what the state of play is when designing current Helsinki, and to investigate if implications the context of Helsinki and of regenerative design exist in the scene of urban Kruunuvuorenranta in terms planning and design, ten semi-structured and thematic interviews were conducted from di erent of urban design and planning levels of actors (see Figure 31 on the next page). e actors were chosen from the planning and design for sustainability, the actual phases of Kruunuvuorenranta, including members state of play and possible from the public and private sectors (see Appendix 1 for the list of interviewees). indications of regenerative approaches are introduced. e methodology behind interviews and their analysis was presented further in Introduction: Research This chapter presents the Questions and Methods. e following chapters focus on bringing up the most frequent themes that came fndings from the interviews, up in the interviews in terms of sustainability, urban where the planners, design and planning in Helsinki, and regenerative approaches including some additional curiosities. architects, landscape architects, construction companies, and residents of 5.1. The objective: Are Kruunuvuorenranta discuss we even sustainable? their point of view. As the concept of regenerative design and development is still emerging in the eld of urban planning and design, most of the interviewees had not heard about it. Many interviews started with a discussion about what is a regenerative design and is it possible in urban environments. Although some interviewees could see that in the future, we need to take more
79 PUBLIC Regional plan City of Helsinki / City of Helsinki / town plan & local SECTORS (Uusimaa) master plan detailed plans of Kruunuvuorenranta
PRIVATE SECTOR Project planning
Planning/designing and Residents living in construction the area
Figure 31. Kruunuvuorenranta planning and development process showing the points of interviews. Diagram based on visualization from Staffans et al. (2008).
radical steps to achieve sustainability, regenerative ” When I came here to work around 2007, there development was considered most often impossible were discussions about the goals of city planning and or very di cult in the urban context. Based on the I remember that people were already fed up with the discussions, generally, the regenerative design was idea of sustainable development. en the awareness understood as restoring the city to its original natural of climate change arose, and the talk increased again. state, to so called ‘wild nature’ and not seeing the But all the sustainability talk had faced in ation by possibility of partnering with nature holistically in then, people complaining about things like ’Again this the urban environment. sustainability… everything has to be so sustainable’.”
e quote sums up the attitudes towards sustainability Within the di erent actors, the frustration about not especially in the city planning level in the past decade. doing enough towards sustainability was evident. e tiredness of sustainability discussion re ects the Many of the interviewees expressed that although frustration of planners and designers when many there are good intentions and goals, sustainability di erent needs have to be met. But it is also notable, is still not taken seriously enough when it comes to that many interviewees mentioned that in the past designing cities for the future. One of the interviewees 5-7 years the understanding of sustainable urban issued:” If we are not yet achieving even sustainability, development has risen. Still, introducing yet another how can we be regenerative?”. e problem seems to be level of sustainability, regenerative development, that although sustainability as a term has been around evoked many feelings in the interviewees from for a while, and sustainable development goals are hesitation and curiosity to mild amusement. part of global and national strategies, the interviewees felt overpowered by the weight of the responsibility, the speed of change, and the lack of knowledge. 5.1.1. The subordinate goal
Furthermore, the di erent trends of sustainability e action plan in the national and city levels is to be actions and concepts seemed to exhaust the eld. One carbon neutral in the upcoming years, in addition, to interviewee from the City of Helsinki explained: follow sustainable development goals in many areas.
80 But as mentioned previously, the current main goal of city planning in Helsinki is to produce more housing 5.2. A holistic and units for the ever-growing amount of people moving horizontal process to the capital city area. As one interviewee mentioned: “ e city organization is now tuned for reaching the When asked what hinders the e orts to reach gross oor area goals, not sustainability goals”. e for sustainability in city planning, design, and contradiction in sustainability strategies, and what is construction, the most mentioned issue was the being done, is evident. core processes of how a city is designed; the set of interactions and activities within and between the Many of the interviewees mentioned that although di erent levels. While the process of building a new sustainability is a ‘nice idea’, everything else comes district or a city is multifaceted and time-taking with before it. Achieving sustainability holistically is many actors, it was clear that there was no holistic therefore a subordinate goal, submissive to all the goals view on sustainability or knowledge on how to take of growth: growth in population and growth in the action towards it together. economy. e population growth and urbanization bring pressure to city planning, and sustainability In urban planning and design, the ways to work, comes along a few steps back. the traditions and the attitudes lie deeply and change slowly. In the discussions, the resistance to new was To change the way how cities are designed and built, mentioned to be a ecting how much sustainability can most interviewees pointed out that sustainability be part of the processes. One level being especially slow should be the overarching goal in everything we do. to renew themselves was noted to be the construction Some of the interviewees even brought up the idea companies. While some construction companies that sustainability should be considered not as a do take actions towards sustainable construction by political agenda but as a known truth that everyone trying new approaches, sticking to the routine actions needs to follow. At the same time, they felt that what and going from where the fence is the lowest in terms they are expected to do in their work, based on the of material choices and familiar solutions, were said to city’s strategies, does not answer to the complex and be slowing down the transformation of the eld. For often global environmental and societal challenges. example, it can be much easier and cost-e cient to use the traditional, but non-sustainable materials than Although the sustainability e orts and concerns were try to locate sustainable materials that the designers pointed out in the discussions, all of the interviewees are demanding. indicated that more needs to be done. e regenerative approach of reaching a net-positive impact on the e resistance to new is also evident in decision- environment and well-being also resonated in many making. Some interviewees saw democratic, top- interviewees, them understanding that it is not enough to-bottom decision-making as a problematic one, to aim, for example, just for carbon-neutrality. One especially in urban planning, as it equals long interviewee highlighted that: processes with multiple rounds of appeals and strong stakeholder groups being able to annihilate years of “[With regenerative development] the scope is work and knowledge. While they understood that changing. We can go above the net-zero level; we can democracy can enable positive outcomes in terms do more. And that’s a really important observation. of sustainability, it also means power relations have Trying to change this discourse and eld.” a great impact if speci c and networked stakeholder group’s interest is in danger. In society, where
81 everyone’s voice is technically heard in democratic All of the issues mentioned above, the resistance decision-making processes, there are still stronger to new or di erent, the slow democratic decision- voices that can hinder sustainability. making often a ected by strong stakeholder group power relations, and the traditional paradigm of If sustainability is not the prior goal, the processes urban planning and design, a ect the processes of do not function towards sustainability. Many of the city planning. And while it can be easy to follow interviewees recognized that in order to design more the known rules and processes of how decisions are sustainable cities, the mindset change is imperative. made, cities planned, buildings designed and new One interviewee said: neighborhoods constructed, for sustainability, the rules need to change drastically and quickly. But ”It [the problem] is within the processes and how the interviewees also recognized some parts of the the organization works. But even deeper problem is processes where positive changes can be made. within the values of people. And what is considered important.”
Many noted that mindset change is very ambitious 5.2.1. From siloed expertise to thought in an atmosphere of traditional modern car- holistic systems thinking centered urban planning where the focus is on non- renewable energy resources. In some discussions, e current administrative organization in the City the interviewees called for faster and more radical of Helsinki is hierarchical and siloed, the city council actions, but at the same time felt overpowered by the serving as the highest decision-making organ (see by hierarchical and political processes that do not aim Figure 32). As mentioned, the city’s organization for holistic sustainability. seems to be tuned to serve the purpose of creating
Figure 32. The siloed divisions in the city’s organization do not support the horizontal and holistic team leading needed for reaching sustainability. Current organization map of City of Helsinki. The blue indicates the political bodies and red public administration. Source: City of Helsinki (n.d.).
82 more housing for current and future citizens and was was the competitions for contractors, architects, not found suitable for focusing on sustainability. e and landscape architects to design speci c blocks interviewees working for the public sector mentioned and sites. In those cases, if a competitor presents an that there is a lack of expertise in understanding innovative carbon-neutral solution, there might not be sustainability holistically and working across the anyone among the evaluators who have high in-depth silos, hence, the planners, designers, architects, and knowledge about carbon-neutrality, thus making the experts part of city planning processes, demand evaluation of the solution very di cult and vague. more education and understanding in terms of whole systems thinking and sustainability. But also, Another expertise group that the processes are lacking the organizational model of the city needs to be re- in the City of Helsinki is holistic sustainability thought in a way that supports sustainability goals management. Based on the interviews, the di erent rather than population and economic growth. levels and divisions in the city’s organization and in the whole planning and building project are doing Helsinki’s Urban Environment Division, in charge small actions separately but the larger picture is fuzzy of city planning, construction, maintenance, and lacks understanding. e notion of a horizontal building supervision, and environmental services, team-leading came up in the discussions, in hopes has an essential actor role when it comes to it could help to incorporate built-in sustainability designing a sustainable city. And although the within the processes and support to gather the bits of good communication and cooperation between the knowledge together. is requires systems thinking di erent divisions were referred to in the discussions in order to make connections between di erent parts with the city’s o cials, they also remarked that of the system and understand the impacts of change. sustainability requires understanding from all the di erent divisions and demands more horizontal e siloed way to plan and design was not an issue collaboration within the city’s organization. only for the City of Helsinki, as the linkages between the di erent levels and project phases were considered One of the interviewees from the City of Helsinki weak by many interviewees. Several private sector explained that the sustainability e orts in their actors also talked about the di culties of working work mostly rely on a person’s own interest, not together towards sustainability as the process from their speci c expertise, the appointed eld of focus, planning to construction is very straightforward and or common goal. In addition, in the city planning top-to-bottom. One interviewee contemplated: level, there is only one planner dedicated to climate- “Once we come into the project, all the plans are focused approach. While sustainability is gradually already set up, and if there is not a clear focus and emphasized in the city planning practices, the regulation on doing things sustainably, it can be investment in the expertise on sustainability matters almost impossible to include them later based on is still lacking. As one interviewee said: our suggestions”. “ at is a thing that needs to improve. It cannot be Especially the architects, landscape architects, and based on the planner’s personal interest if we build construction companies had the interest to try new upon a carbon-neutral Helsinki or not.” and innovative sustainability solutions but in many cases were frustrated to notice that the decisions on e new and ever-evolving solutions for sustainability them should have been made at the beginning of the can also mean that there is no one to have explicit whole development project. knowledge on the topic. One example mentioned
83 e aim to build as much gross oor area as possible “It is naïve to think that in order to reach huge goals to inhabit as many citizens as possible within Helsinki such as these, the practical doing part does not need results in planning and development processes that to change. at is just delusional.” do not facilitate sustainability. While e orts towards e frustration of not being able to act as quickly and sustainability are being made, they are isolated, and as e ciently as they would have liked shone through the holistic view and systems thinking is missing. As the interviews. pointed out in the discussions, what is also needed is re-thinking the organizational and project processes Especially the carbon-neutrality goal awoke a lot in a way that supports sustainability and horizontal of critical comments, and the feeling of being ‘left management, allocating resources to sustainability alone’ to deal with the problem could be heard in the expertise. Also suggested was the earlier inclusion discussions. Many interviewees believed that the lack of the private sector actors, which could bring more of action was due to the fact that there is no common knowledge about the innovative solutions and help to ground on what is meant by ‘carbon-neutrality’ or build sustainability throughout the process. ‘resilience’ in terms of the actual steps to reach those goals. e Carbon-neutral Helsinki 2035 Action Plan 5.2.2. From strategies to action (City of Helsinki, 2018) introduces the key sectors to act and reductions needed to mitigate CO2 emissions (see Figure 33) but leave the recommendations to act While the strategies and action plans in Helsinki clearly very open-ended. e plan was considered to give a state the aim to be carbon-neutral by 2035, transform vision but being near to useless in terms of reaching into a circular economy and focus on sustainable for actual impacts with concrete actions. development goals, the urgency to act rose up in all the discussions. One of the interviewees stated: e action plan for carbon-neutrality points out that “In my opinion, we are at a point with climate change the focus in sustainability actions is still in separate where we need all the possible actions. I cannot see sectors, not in a holistic approach. One interviewee why we should categorize and grade the actions or noted the action plan having conicting goals: wait for better ones. We need to use them all, now.” “We talk about reducing the energy consumption e discussions also showed that by realizing the as the key aim to reach carbon-neutrality, but urgency, the planners, architects, landscape architects, then at the same time we build around 8000 new and buildings companies all had the willingness to apartments per year. So, we build a lot more, when act towards sustainability. the total energy consumption should be reduced. We do not act to meet the objective.” e urgency was emphasized by the notion that e clashing goals and the idea of them being reached there are not enough actions towards sustainability in isolation makes the aim for overall sustainability in planning, design, and construction in Helsinki. even harder. Aiming for sustainability in the strategies was considered as ‘only talking’, while the actual steps in In addition to contradicting goals, the reasons behind every level were minimal. Many of the interviewees the lack of actions were mentioned to be resources demanded ‘radical actions’, ‘quicker actions’ and and decision-making. As sustainability seems to ‘freedom for trial and error’ in order to be able to come after everything else, there is simply not inuence e ectively. One interviewee pointed out: enough money in the budget to act towards it. Some
84 Figure 33. The Carbon-neutral Helsinki 2035 Action Plan. The main strategy is to focus the actions of Helen to reduce the carbon emissions. Source: City of Helsinki (2018). remarked that without specialists focusing on climate 5.2.3. Planning regulations as and carbon-neutrality within their organization, it drivers of change is di cult to understand what is needed to be done. One interviewee noted: Interestingly, the need to act also initiated the “If only one person knows about this stu [climate discussion of the power of regulations in town plans change, carbon footprint, etc], how can he/she manage and detailed plans. All the private sector actors to communicate it to everyone in the city?” mentioned that they wanted to ‘design more freely’ but in order to do that they need to be ‘softly forced’. e same concerns were re ected in the decision- Facilitating sustainability in the planning regulations making, pointing out that operative level expertise in and design principles could encourage the other actors sustainability should be even more included within to make better choices and introduce innovative and the city’s decision makers. sustainable options for building and landscape design, and construction. While recognizing the necessity to take more radical and quicker actions in designing a future sustainable In order to act towards the vague and open-ended Helsinki, the minimal e orts seem to undermine goals of the city’s strategy, the regulations in planning the state of urgency. e action plan for carbon- seemed to give power back to the planners from the neutrality by 2035 leaves decisions about operative decision-makers. e planners working in di erent steps to the planners, architects, landscape architects, levels acknowledged that the most proactive and and construction companies that are not experts in e ective level would the town planning including sustainability. Also, the focus on acting towards detailed plans as those provide entry points to con icting goals and in isolated sectors without a tangible actions. While the regional plan also gives common priority does not promote sustainability in design principles, the closer the plans get to the actual a holistic way.
85 construction phase, the more e ective in terms of the same time trusting the sustainability know-how sustainability they seem to be. of architects, landscape architects, and construction companies. However, in many competition calls for plots, the sustainability principles were nonexistent or side notes. Some of the interviewees even stressed that in order e town planners also admitted that at the moment to switch the focus to sustainability, the planning there are no regulations about carbon-neutrality in the regulations should be supported by stricter policies current town plans, although the developers could get and laws on the national level. e Land Use and extra points if presenting a more sustainable concept. Building Act, guiding also the planning, is scheduled But as sustainable solutions are still more expensive to be reformed by the end of 2021, as are the laws and di cult to build in the Finnish context, as noted about climate and environment. One interviewee by the interviewees, it is easier to choose ‘the easy road’ anticipated: of the traditional building if there are no rules and “I hope that the new reformations would be stricter, regulations forcing to change. with approaches that would steer the focus to the well-being of climate and nature, not only to people”. e soft forcing approach could also include positive bene ts for all the parties. While city planners could encourage sustainable choices with the regulations, While recognizing the need to push sustainability in the regulation could also act as an incentive. One the planning regulations, the planners also pointed out interviewee visioned: that the eld is changing. New planning regulations are being added to support sustainable planning and ” If we want the wooden apartment buildings to a uni ed system is being created. Understanding its become more common, we need some compensations role as an enabler of sustainability, the town planning and incentives, regulated in the town plan. For level could embrace even more experimentation example, if there was a planning regulation about and freedom regarding urban planning and design. getting an extra 10% or 20% building right in the By steering the other actors, with regulations and plot - because wooden buildings take more space incentives, the strategies could become actions. Also, to build – I argue that by overnight the interest in as the town planning level focuses on place-based creating wooden buildings would rise up remarkably.” regulation, it could be an adequate platform for Similar types of regulations could create a supportive supporting regenerative approaches as well, if brought environment for the new and more radical solutions to another level of thinking. to ourish in urban infrastructure.
On the other hand, being able to ‘design more freely’ requires regulations that are not too speci c and detailed. Architects, landscape architects, and 5.3. The value of green construction companies felt that sometimes the In every level from planning to construction, the regulations can be too explicit about measures positive impacts of green infrastructure in relation to and materials, hindering the design choices for climate change mitigation and adaptation, resource sustainability. ey also mentioned that in many e ciency, resilience, and health and well-being of ways, sustainability is already built-in with their work, people were recognized. Contrarily, the interviewees but the regulations could still give more emphasis to also admitted that not enough is being understood and supporting the mitigation and adaptation to climate done or the quality of the current green infrastructure change with urban planning and design, while at
86 was questioned. e strategy of building more and was obviously the forests and other natural habitats denser under the pressure of population growth was where the human impact could not be seen. considered a short-sighted solution at expense of natural environment. e concept of urban nature seemed to be well- settled in the planning levels and introduced a As regenerative design and development base its curious notion on nature compared to the wild-built- approaches in the understanding of nature’s systems, dualism. e interviewees referring to urban nature cycles, processes, and laws, the interviews also considered it a natural environment where the e ects included questions to gure out what is considered as of nature and humans mix together to form an urban ‘nature’, thus revealing what kind of knowledge from ecosystem in varied ways. To give an example, one nature is used in design and planning processes. Many interviewee explained that when a park is being built interviewees focused on physical elements of nature or and managed by humans, it can be described as the green infrastructure, suggesting that the systemic arti cial nature. But after a while, it starts to build up and holistic views on the complex social-ecological its own ecosystems and diversity, hence transforming systems were secondary. Especially the landscape into urban nature. Without human impact, it would architects were suggesting that their knowledge about turn into wild nature at some point in time. A trend ecology would bring value and should be considered of ‘wilding urban spaces’ or using dynamic planting more in the beginning of planning processes. Some in parks have been emerging in recent years, as interviewees pointed out that humans and even cities mentioned by few interviewees, although others are part of nature but were cautious and even confused remarked this development as not so successful when thinking about a city as a natural environment approach to designing urban environments as it can or living system. A clear separation between the built give ‘unclean’ or ’undermanaged’ look. Nevertheless, environment and nature was still evident. the notion of letting time transform the green urban environments suggests a more relaxed take on When discussing the role of nature in cities, there designing and managing green spaces. were many opinions and de nitions of what nature is and how should it be used. All of the interviewees Urban nature has also become a political tool where remarked it as a crucial part of design and planning the notions of ‘safe’ or ‘something to be saved’ and processes as the place, landscape, and natural ‘dangerous’ nature are being evaluated. While some elements and circumstances create the platform stakeholder groups valuing nature would rather leave for the design. However, the di erent descriptions the natural elements to be in urban environments, of nature revealed the complexity of the meaning that comes with a cost if, for example, a damaged and the undetermined categories, although all of tree accidentally falls on top of a passer-by in a storm, the interviewees basically worked in the same eld as remarked by one interviewee. Although the green of urban design and planning. Terms such ‘nature- spaces are considered among the safest places in cities, nature’ (‘luonto-luonto’), ‘wild nature’ (‘villi luonto’), there is still a debate about who takes responsibility ‘arti cial nature’(‘tekoluonto’), and ‘urban nature’ ‘if something happens’ in nature. While people clearly (‘kaupunkiluonto’) were mentioned, all suggesting want nature to be part of the urban environment, the di erent natural environments or views on nature. management of urban nature is still a debate. e separation to nature untouched by humans and nature built by humans can be seen, as arti cial e view of nature can di er remarkably if asked nature was described to include built and managed from the residents or the o cials of the city. One parks and nature-based solutions (e.g. run-o water interviewee noted: systems, green walls, and roofs) whereas wild nature
87 “Many times the citizens want to protect the urban Most of the interviewees saw the presence of nature nature, notifying about the injured wild animals signi cant in Helsinki, often admiring the vast within the city borders, considering individual wild sea areas, archipelago but also the urban forests. It animals as their pets, or arranging riots against plans was seen as an aesthetical and recreational element to build plots that have natural elements in them”. but also functional in terms of creating bene ts for people. Although the concept of ecosystem services But there is a stark contrast between the city’s urge was not mentioned often or was referred to as ‘being to build dense neighborhoods and citizens’ eagerness a new thing’ in their practices, the concept’s ideas to save the natural environments in the same area, were part of the discussions. Notably, the regional as pointed out by another interviewee. Many times, planning level was the strongest advocate for the decisions from the city overdrive the citizens’ acknowledging the ecosystem services, stating that wishes. Also, the citizens might not directly consider the resources, bene ts, and attraction of nature are the more technical bene ts of nature, such as taken into account increasingly in planning processes stormwater management or air quality improvement, from a more holistic perspective, even so, that in the while recreation and visual contact to nature were near future ecosystem services should have their own mentioned very important. separate planning regulations.
e plans to build up current natural green areas to e opinions about nature-based solutions were t more people into the city was criticized by all the varying from very critical notions to very positive interviewees, but they also felt that it was a balancing ones. Many interviewees thought that nature can act where they have to follow the city’s strategy. In de nitely be considered as a ‘technical solution’ for Kruunuvuorenranta, although being an empty multiple issues from storm-water management to brown eld planned for residential use, the goal to t pollution prevention. ey also noted that more more people into the area has led to planning also opportunities for using nature-based solutions should nature areas for construction. is has resulted in be encouraged, as at the moment they are tried out several complaints from the resident organizations only here and there. Interestingly, the private sector and also raises the question of how much is the gross was more suspicious about the bene ts of using oor area goals driving the planning. Examples of nature-based solutions in urban design, questioning similar situations in development projects arose in the actual e ciencies and expenses, and noting that the discussions, raising concerns on how much is the more studies on material choices and performance city willing to sacri ce the already existing natural should be done. One interviewee remarked some habitats. e discussion focused on retaining the nature-based solutions, such as green walls or roofs, as current situation of natural environments more than more like ‘gardening’ or a mere e ort to restore some of restoring or regenerating them. But it was highlighted the green that was destroyed during the construction. that in order to keep nature in the city, persistence and willingness is needed. As mentioned by one e intriguing notion of ‘nature as a designer’ came interviewee: out in a few of the discussions when talking about “In a densifying city, we need to be even more directive species that have a powerful e ect on urban determined to save and preserve the green network. planning processes. e European Union’s Habitats And if we cannot save it, we need to develop Directive is designed to protect species that are rare, compensative connections.” threatened, or endemic, and if those species are noticed inhabiting an area under development, it can hinder
88 the project progress or even stop it completely. In the tracking valuable natural environments by gathering interviews, the question on Siberian ying squirrels in spatial data. e vast data collection to gain more the Helsinki region slowing down the current Jokeri knowledge and to develop measuring tools for light rail construction arose the notion of a natural decision-making is carried out, but the overarching element ‘changing the game’ in terms of urban design, question is: how do we measure everything in terms planning, and construction. Securing the habitats of quality but also holistically? of these species is de ned by law but contrarily, if one species determines where the roads, tramlines, Based on the interviews, the level of acknowledging or buildings should be built, should we consider all nature, especially green infrastructure, as a vital part the species as valuable and how would we design our of urban living environments, is very high within the living environments then? design and planning levels while it is not necessarily recognized as a regenerative approach. ere is also e aspect of quality arose continuously in the consensus on densi cation at the expense of nature interviews in relation to nature and its bene ts being a misguided approach to designing sustainable for humans and the planet. e term ‘quality of cities. However, the knowledge of nature’s systems environment’ was mentioned to have been only recently and processes in the elds requires deepening to emerging in the discussions, while the ‘quality of life’ achieve a holistic and systemic view and regenerative has been a crucial part of the city’s strategies and development. e concept of urban nature already planning for a while. e discourse about the quality brings together the ideas and e ects of humans and of the environment proposes that the role of nature nature, while enhancing the diversity in urban natural in establishing health and well-being is being valued environments. Also, the increasing discussion and increasingly. Many of the interviewees expressed their use of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions concerns in preserving the current urban nature, let suggest that nature can be considered as a partner alone being able to add more nature within Helsinki in the urban context. e challenges to further the while the city is growing in population. e desire regenerative approach lie in measuring the quality of and urge of the interviewees to enforce the role of nature as a whole. Still, e orts towards understanding nature in the city could be heard. nature and its functioning better are being made, while developing design tools to guide the design and In order to justify the importance of urban nature, planning processes. especially the planners were eager to nd tools and systems that measure the bene ts of nature. An extensive nature information system showing di erent species and natural habitats has already been in use in the City of Helsinki for decades. Measuring carbon sequestration was mentioned as one relevant and ‘easy to conduct’ aspect, while design and planning tools, such as the green factor14 or uni ed planning regulations in di erent themes, are only now being introduced to planning practices. In di erent levels 14 Green factor is a tool for land-use planning processes to and in collaboration with several organizations mitigate the effects of construction by maintaining a suf cient level of green infrastructure while enhancing the quality of and institutions, studies are being conducted on the remaining vegetation (Climate-Proof City – The Planner’s measuring the biodiversity and quality of nature or Workbook, 2018).
89 better. However, many interviewees also noted that 5.4. The regenerative the change always comes with trade-o s, and in approaches in Kruunuvuorenranta some of the existing forest areas and rocks had to be sacri ced to t more inhabitants, Kruunuvuorenranta thus buildings in the area. Hence, the regeneration in the oil harbor area was considered positive but not without a cost in other parts of the district. Kuunuvuorenranta district functioned as the boundaries of a system to study a speci c area in Another matter considered regenerative was the relation to regenerative design and development. design and planning solutions that utilized place- Hence, all the interviewees had a connection to the based thinking. Especially the remnants of the oil design and planning processes of Kruunuvuorenranta harbor, the oil caverns, and silos used for storage, are at some level. Based on the discussions, some now being adopted for di erent purposes. One of the regenerative approaches could be identi ed although most innovative concepts has been Helen’s seasonal holistically Kruunuvuorenranta cannot be considered renewable energy storage, a cavern functioning as a as a regenerative district. But new innovative place- battery-of-sorts, collecting warm seawater during based solutions are present as well as building up ‘the summer months, and heating the houses of the spirit of a place’ with architectural approaches and district during winter months. Also, the ideas of using nature elements. Overall, the discussions revealed the caverns as datacenters (for energy and information also challenges concerning the scale of place and time production and storage), food production facilities, in urban design and planning, as well as lack of use of or sports centers, while the oil silos are being ecological strategies and solutions. transformed into lighting art elements showed place- based thinking and regenerative approaches from an In order to make sense and understand the social- ecological but also socio-cultural perspective. ecological systems functioning in Kruunuvuorenranta and the design elements supporting those systems, I While urban design and planning traditionally take visualized a system map based on the local detailed inspiration from the place, it was also considered plan documents and the interview ndings. e map highly important among all of the interviewees locates the actors of the systems and lists the design in relation to creating an identity for the district. elements while connecting them to ecosystem services Many interviewees mentioned that the speci c rocky (see Figure 34). e system map gathers together the seashore landscape with views over the sea to the city di erent parts of Kruunuvuorenranta as a system, center and Suomenlinna separate Kruunuvuorenranta introducing the aspects presented next. from many other current developments in Helsinki. e upcoming bridges with tramline and bike 5.4.1. Place-based solutions lanes to the city center add the attraction to move to the area as it makes Kruunuvuorenranta ‘a perfect mix of city life and nature’. e history with As an area being developed for residential purposes manor estates and villas were also mentioned as on the land where once was an oil harbor, crucial parts of Kruunuvuorenranta’s identity. All Kruunuvuorenranta was in principle seen as these elements of the place play a role when choosing supporting regeneration. Most of the interviewees the area as one’s home, but the residents also saw the recognized that the transformation from a brown eld economic value, considering it as an investment for into a residential area creates positive impacts for the future but also for well-being. humans and nature, being a radical change for the
90 experiences, revitalization)
ATTRACTIVITY (health, cultural
EXCHANGE OF KNOWLEDGE POLLINATION
BIODIVERSITY innovation,(pedagogical experiments, activities,
business creation) FOOD
AIR TREATMENT
IMPROVED OUTDOOR CLIMATE (evaporative cooling, shading, EN INFRASTRUCT wind breaking) GRE URE WATER TREATMENT nature conservation areas (stormwater, grey water) nature-based urban forest estate gardens (Stansvik) solutions for RECREATION stormwater (health, well-being) management
beach pond courtyards
wild plants allotment gardens canals pollinators seashores garden plants neighborhood parks trees (pine, oak) micro-organisms wetlands f owers green roofs Cafés & restaurants
adaptability Communal Other centralized car spaces citizens parking areas energy-ef ciency fruits & rodents vegetables COMMUNITY communal work- Shops public transport (tramline, bus) shops, saunas... Residents bats Businesses B mushrooms U villas & bikelanes I Kindergartens & Siberian f ying L manor houses schools squirrell D I polypores N f s h terraces G Rode (waste S management) water plants insects & Y birds T I residential I N walkways F buildings IL R B A O S Long-lasting T boulevards M R materials INCLUSIVENESS U C Shopping centres, T school building, ... U nature paths seashore decks RE PUBLICITY District heating, solar, geothermal, seasonal energy SAFETY (co-presence, boats overview)
URBAN ACCESSIBILITY (cooling, sun screening) DIVERSITY (users, activities, IMPROVED INDOOR CLIMATE experiences)
(identity, competence)
CULTURAL VALUE
PEST REGULATION INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
Figure 34. The system map for the social-ecological systems and design elements supporting particular systems in Kruunuvuorenranta, based on local detailed plans. The map also includes ecosystem services, provided by the whole system. Created by author. .
91 5.4.2. Supporting ecological Especially the solutions for runo water were lifestyle mentioned as regenerative, as they can also increase the biodiversity and function as recreational spots. Some interviewees were critical towards the idea of Kruunuvuorenranta seemed to be awaking interest nature-based solutions, mentioning them even as in people who considered well-being and health risks for re safety, while clearly more knowledge of important in their everyday life but who also had di erent types of nature-based solutions and their ecological values. Not only the residents but other bene ts were needed. Few contemplated that only interviewees as well mentioned that the recreational operations, such as restoring streams, can be thought possibilities in Kruunuvuorenranta are valuable of as regenerative and therefore found it di cult to and even better than in other places in Helsinki. A see regenerative actions taken in Kruunuvuorenranta resident of the area emphasized the role of nature as or in Helsinki. ‘a supporter of holistic well-being’. With developing the area and creating a new beach, the citizens from other When discussing the role of nature in creating parts of the city can also enjoy the area. Other aspects regenerative development, the talk about the mentioned as supporting ecological lifestyle were densi cation of urban environments came up quickly. the waste recycling system Rode, the good public Most of the interviewees had conicting feelings transport options with the bridges, and possibilities towards densi cation as it was seen taking space for urban agriculture in their buildings or in the area. from nature while supporting the growth of local By enabling the residents to lead the ecological life centers with services and public transportation. One with urban design and planning choices, the area interviewee noted: seems to interest especially the millennials who seek to follow a more balanced life. “In terms of regenerative design and development, it can be actually better if Helsinki densi es as it leaves In the discussions, deeply related to the ecological then more space for nature and regeneration to other lifestyle and well-being was the presence of nature areas”. in Kruunuvuorenranta. Many of the interviewees In the case of Kruunuvuorenranta, the planners did also emphasized the role of nature as a habitat for not consider the area to be as dense as other districts, biodiversity, mentioning the green roofs, courtyard as the apartment buildings only have approximately gardens, and natural environments were crucial for ve to six oors. e residents were also concerned supporting other species as well. e planners of about the densi cation, hoping that the natural Kruunuvuorenranta pointed out that although the environments would be preserved as much as possible. oil harbor eld did not have many natural habitats However, the close-by city center and services also within it, it was crucial to try to save those small enhance ecological lifestyle, as distances, thus need bits of nature when designing the blocks. Also, the for using transportation diminishes. architecture and construction tried to conform to nature’s forms as much as possible. e recently made local detailed plans also included the green factor 5.4.3. Architecture reinforcing requirements, further supporting the urban nature community and co-evolution with added green roofs and plantings.
While buildings and architecture in Nature-based solutions were also mostly considered Kruunuvuorenranta were not connected to the ideas as regenerative elements, although there were only of the regenerative design per se, there were still few a few places at Kruunuvuorenranta using them. regenerative approaches when discussing with the
92 architects and construction companies. e most the ‘village’-feeling to their living environments by prominent method, realized as supporting regenerative sharing spaces and things and focusing on a service development, was the focus on the adaptability economy, so these approaches should be supported by (‘muuntojoustavuus’) when designing the buildings the urban design and planning as well. and apartments. Many interviewees considered the lifespan of buildings a problematic one, stating that if the buildings only last for around 50 years, it is 5.4.4. Challenges not enough. Hence, the adaptability lengthens the time spans for the buildings, as the structure can be While possibilities to enhance sustainability and transformed easily into di erent purposes during its even aim for regenerative development were noticed life. As one interviewee noted: within the interviewees, they were also questioning if regenerative approaches are too much of a change. “If the buildings can be used in multiple ways and In many discussions, the required massive mindset they are designed to last and be healthy for a long change was mentioned as the greatest obstacle. e time, it does not matter if they are not carbon- ideas and practices in urban design and planning need negative. ey bring other positive outcomes and to change totally if regenerative development is the by reducing the number of renovations, the overall objective and many interviewees saw this impossible outcome is more sustainable.” or very challenging. However, the urgency to act, with whatever means, was also pointed out, with one e adaptability also seemed to support the interviewee contemplating: co-evolution and community building in “It [regenerative development] should not be a Kruunuvuorenranta, as described by the architects, particularly radical idea in this situation, where we construction companies, and residents. If the are talking about being at gunpoint on what are our apartment is sold as raw space for the residents, they quali cations for the future”. then turned to their neighbors and fellow renovators for interior design tips. As one interviewee mentioned, this exchange of knowledge and the feeling of Another major challenge mentioned in several ‘building a place together’ has resulted in a close-knit discussions was the de nition scales of place and community already, although most of the area is still time in regards to regenerative design. e scale of under construction. e feeling of community also place refers to the scope of space where regenerative furthers the notion of the spirit of place, which will be design functions the best. Questions like “Will even clearer in the future when the district is nished it [regenerative development] happen in regional or and residents living in the area, creating their own neighborhood scale?” or “Is the idea to be self-sucient stories of the place. on which scale?” arose from several interviews. e idea of a city functioning as its own system in a global e co-evolution aspect was emphasized in the ways context was clearly di cult to comprehend to some of how the residents were described to grow together the interviewees, while others stated that in a regional in a place as they built their homes but also in scale Helsinki is actually quite self-su cient, hence favoring communal spaces or sharing goods. In many could be considered as a regenerative city (based on buildings in Kruunuvuorenranta, the communal Girardet’s regional model of Ecopolis that was shown spaces include sauna, workshops or gyms, rooftop or to the interviewees, see Figure 16 on page 48). Some courtyard garden plots, or even just spaces to celebrate interviewees thought that the scale of Helsinki is and hang around. One interviewee also mentioned ‘just too big’ to be regenerative, while others saw the that the younger generation is keener to bring back regional scale as more forgiving in terms of o ering
93 a compensative natural environment for carbon Altogether, the commitment to choose sustainability, sequestration while some areas could then be densely or even regeneration, needs enhancing in di erent built urban centers. levels and as a common goal. One interviewee mentioned that it is not enough to design a sustainable e scale of time was considered as challenging as building with an eco-e cient system and functioning the spatial scale. In many discussions the idea of community aspects if the vision and responsibility making decisions while thinking seven generations to act towards sustainability are not continued, for forward (described as a more regenerative way of example, with ownership changes. e economic thinking future in the literature) was regarded as vital growth and political agendas were still considered to when designing cities. Especially the focus was on hinder sustainability e orts. But as pointed out by the preserving the green network and green spaces within interviewees, with careful land use and by developing the city, one interviewee even suggesting that those the existing built urban environments, the focus to should be designed 70 generations forward in order to sustainability and regeneration could be steered, while get the right mindset. When discussing regeneration, not disrupting the existing natural environments. many interviewees found it di cult to understand that what period in time should be regenerated. One interviewee deliberated:
“Do we regenerate back to the point where there were no humans at that place? en how do we build cities like that? We cannot just demolish everything human-made and return it into nature.”
Also, related to the scale of time, the di culty of long processes and time spans in urban development projects was mentioned. Several interviewees pointed out that, for example, the planning of Kruunuvuorenranta started already in early 2000 when ‘the world was a di erent place’. And while the district is still not completely constructed, the increasing environmental and social challenges need to be taken into account in the plans in bits and pieces. As the practices change slowly, adjusting the design and planning to face future challenges is demanding and di cult. at is why many interviewees also noted that enforcing the idea of co-evolution in urban design and planning could lead to regenerative development, as the guiding idea should always be that a city is never ready. Designing for ‘incomplete’ and ‘evolving’, not ‘ready’, should be fostered.
94 Image 7. Visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta’s beach walkways. Source: City of Helsinki (2011). 95 96 CONCLUSION
PART III THE EVOLUTION
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.“
- Albert Einstein
97 6 CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The fnal chapter answers Human actions and worldview in the past centuries the research questions set have led to irreversible and drastic changes in our planet’s life support systems, hence resulting in in the beginning of the study sustainability challenges in social and environmental dimensions of life. is thesis has looked into the and summarizes the fndings discourse of regenerative design and development as an of the thesis to concluding approach to reach for a paradigm shift leveraging the current sustainability to a regenerative one if cities are thoughts. It also lays out the considered as vehicles for change. e hypothesis was limitations of the study, as that regenerative design strategies and practices are not currently part of urban development projects, hence the well as portraits possibilities change is slow and focused only on parts of the system, for future research based rather than thinking holistically and systemically. on the implications found in e thesis studied the concept of regenerative design and development and investigated if their strategies this thesis. Finally, I end with could be recognized or introduced to urban design some refective thoughts and planning practices. By looking into the current sustainability challenges and paradigms, origin about the thesis process and elements of regenerative design, and a basis and being a designer for a for urban ecological design concepts and strategies was formed through literature review. e theory paradigm shift. was then applied to a case study, where the district of Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki, Finland, was examined through document analysis. Also, the actors from the design and planning levels of the development project were interviewed in order to gain knowledge about the state of play when designing Helsinki towards a sustainable future.
e focus areas of the thesis included: 1) creating a clearer understanding of the de nition of regenerative design and development by studying the origins and context of the concepts, 2) interlinking the ideas of
98 regenerative design into the urban design by locating RQ1: What is regenerative design in the elements, strategies, and approaches that could urban context? enhance regenerative urban development, 3) aiming to examine if regenerative approaches already exist in e thesis suggests that regenerative design strategies urban design and planning practices, by focusing on suggested by Lyle (1994) and others (Mang & Reed, Kruunuvuorenranta as a case study. 2012; Girardet, 2015; Mang & Haggard, 2016) can function as enablers of change by steering the focus to nature and life; its systems, processes, networks, and laws. Outlined in the thesis are the 6.1. Answering the core approaches of regenerative design based on the research questions analysis of literature: learning to read nature or eco- literacy, focusing on health and well-being of living e aim of the thesis was to establish a basis for systems, acknowledging place as a starting point for understanding regenerative design and development design, living and learning in a co-evolutionary way, in urban environments. e following three research aiming for whole systems approach, and shifting questions were guiding the research of the thesis: to an ecological worldview. All of these approaches consequently can lead to regenerative development, a 1. What is regenerative design in the urban context new paradigm for sustainability. (Part I)?
2. What elements of regenerative design can be seen Studying the current urban ecological design discourse in the current state of play when designing Helsinki? tried to interlink regenerative design into urban (Part II) development. Based on the literature review, there are already elements of urban design and planning 3. How could the designers of cities (planners, architects, designers, and makers) introduce that support regenerative approaches, although regenerative design into urban design practices? all the di erent strategies of ecological design are (Part I & II) needed to reach regenerative development. Figure 34 (on the next page) illustrates the linkages between Part I of the thesis focused on the research question the ecological strategies, design elements, urban 1 through literature review, trying to de ne what metabolism and ecosystems. e design elements of is meant by regenerative design when the context is urban form, functions, and structures are useful tools urban environment. Part II located the elements of to channel the ecological strategies, such as biophilia, regenerative design in Helsinki through a case study biomimicry, restorative design, and regenerative with methods of document analysis and thematic design. However, it is crucial that the di erent levels semi-structured interviews, aiming to answer of urban structure (buildings, neighborhoods, cities, research question 2. e nal research question 3 regions) are addressed by a strategy t for the level (see was addressed in both Part I and II by making sense Figure 17 on page 53). where the entry points for change are if regenerative design and development are emphasized in urban In addition to operating with urban ecological development. Below, I summarize the ndings, trying strategies and design elements, the literature review to answer each research question separately based on discovered two vital concepts that could help to the study detailed in previous chapters. achieve a regenerative urban environment, based on living systems thinking. e rst one is the urban ecology which highlights the notion of nature
99 N ECOLO URBA GY
AN METABO URB LISM
R eg en e R ra e t s iv to e ra d ti e B v s io e i m d g i e n m s e i ti g c n B d io e ph s i i lic g d n e s ig n URBAN FUNCTIONS URBAN
URBAN STRUCTURES
URBAN FORM
Figure 35. A framework for urban regenerative design. The urban design elements (urban form, structures and functions) can be used differently within several ecological strategies while incorporating the f ows and processes of urban metabolism and taking into account the overarching urban ecology. Created by author.
100 as a basis for knowledge for designing an urban a mutually bene cial, net-positive, and a healthy environment. As ecoliteracy in regenerative design is relationship between humans and the natural world the basis of the process, urban ecosystems should also with a su cient amount of energy and resources for be emphasized. With green infrastructure, ecosystem both parties. services, and nature-based solutions, the city as a living being can be enhanced and accomplish mutual health and well-being for social-ecological systems. RQ2: What elements of regenerative e second vital concept is urban metabolism, the design can be seen in the current state of ows of material, energy, and information within a play when designing Helsinki? city. By analyzing the urban metabolism speci c to each city, the transparency of processes will increase, Part II of the thesis, focusing on a case study of and the system can be tuned to be net-positive in its Kruunuvuorenranta in Helsinki revealed that functions. regenerative strategies and approaches do exist in urban planning and design processes within Helsinki As regenerative design stresses the place-based region, although a holistic and systemic approach is approach, aiming for the appreciation of locality that missing. From a strategic level, many of the national contributes to global health and well-being for people and regional strategies and goals aim for mitigating and the planet, the consideration of scale-linking the environmental impacts or increasing resilience, strategy is crucial. Girardet’s (2010; 2015) model however, the focus is still clearly on carbon-neutrality for a regenerative city suggests that regeneration can rather than creating a positive impact in social- only function holistically in the regional level, as a ecological systems. Based on the interviews, it was system of systems. e idea is supported by Wahl clear that operational actions and practices are still (2016), noting that biodiversity, cultural diversity, needed to even reach the carbon-neutrality, let alone and local wisdom are most likely to be sustained regenerative development. productively on the regional and local scale, although, remarking that regenerative design can be expanded On practical level, the thesis looked into the regenerative to consider the ‘glo-cal’ world by sharing knowledge approaches distinguished in the development of and collaborative peer-to-peer networking. Kruunuvuorenranta. As noted, the district itself is not considered as a regenerative one but several elements Based on investigating the discourses in regenerative were mentioned to follow regenerative approaches, design and urban ecological planning and design, the most prominent being the transformation from I suggest that regenerative design in the urban a closed oil harbor area to a residential area with environment should be considered as a holistic multiple recreational opportunities. Place-based process-oriented approach of urban planning and solutions, such as utilizing the existing oil storage design where the city is designed as a living system caverns for energy or food production and creating in partnership with nature in the regional level. It a spirit or identity of a place with historical elements, requires a mind shift to an ecological worldview while remnants of oil harbor, or the existing natural areas, combining strategies from regenerative design (eco- were recognized as regenerative. literacy, focus on positive health and wellbeing, place- based thinking, co-evolution, and whole systems e district was also considered to support an ecological approach) and approaches from the urban ecological lifestyle with a mix of city life and opportunities for design while studying local urban ecosystems accessing nature, but also with more technological and metabolism. Regenerative design in an urban solutions, such as the waste management system environment aims for partnership with nature, Rode and possible future seasonal energy option.
101 Connected to ecological life choices, another aspect a known fact, in order to reect it to the actions of reinforcing regenerative design was the notion of urban planning and design. architecture supporting the community building and co-evolution. Especially the adaptability of On a more operational level, several breaking points buildings and designing for long timespans were were recognized. Firstly, holistic and horizontal mentioned to create a connection to a place, and processes are needed within and between di erent other people while enforcing a communal village- levels of an urban development project. Resistance to like atmosphere and sustainability. new, slow decision-making and power relations, and the traditional paradigm of urban planning, design, Another recognized valuable aspect for increasing and construction were seen burdening the processes. sustainability and reaching for regenerative To add, regenerative visions, approaches, and development was the presence and connection to goals should be more emphasized in decision- nature within cities. In every level from planning making and processes of urban development as the to construction, the positive impacts of green multidisciplinary processes can often be long and infrastructure, ecosystem services, and nature-based fragmented with information breaks, disagreements, solutions in relation to climate change mitigation and and misinterpretations. adaptation, resource e ciency, resilience, and health and well-being of people were noted. Also, it was Secondly, the top-down models and siloed expertise evident that diverse data about natural environments should be developed into bottom-up approaches with is being collected increasingly. However, not enough holistic systems thinking. e hierarchical and siloed is being understood and done, or the quality and organizational models were considered unsuitable the amount of the current natural environments for sustainability approaches, lacking horizontal were questioned. While urban nature is increasingly sustainability management. Also, and alarmingly, it growing its signi cance in urban planning and design, was revealed that especially in the public sector there the holistic and systemic knowledge of nature is still was a lack of expertise in sustainability matters, as secondary in the eld. most of the times, the knowledge relies on a person’s own interest, not their speci c expertise, the appointed eld of focus, or common goal. RQ3: How could the designers of cities (planners, architects, designers, and irdly, the urgency to act was evident in the makers) introduce regenerative design interviews, many pointing out that the strategies into urban design practices? are not reected in the actions of urban planning, design, and construction in Helsinki. One of the e interviews conducted for the case study main reasons behind this was mentioned to be the revealed that the overarching challenge hindering conicting goals of the city’s strategy but also the regenerative development in Helsinki was the notion lack of common ground on the tangible actions of sustainability being a subordinate goal to the towards carbon-neutrality or resilience. In addition, main goal of tting more people within the city. e sustainable choices were often considered expensive focus on producing more housing units a ects the and only used if budgets allowed after everything else. organizational processes in the City of Helsinki but also steers the decision-making and urban planning While challenges were pointed out in the interviews, negatively in terms of sustainability. Also, the many interviewees also saw possibilities to enforce interviewees pointed out that sustainability should regenerative approaches in urban planning and not be considered as a political view, but rather as design. e most e cient platform for change was
102 noted to be the planning regulations, especially in bring the regenerative development’s strategies into the town planning level. Two dimensions of planning practice, three main ideas need to be considered: 1) regulations for sustainability were stressed: 1) ‘design enabling evolution with regeneration, 2) working with more freely’, regulations that are not too speci c and a place, and 3) creating developmental and emergent detailed and let the architects, landscape architects, processes. e thesis has suggested that all of these and construction companies to present more radical approaches are possible in urban environments, hence solutions, and 2) ‘softly forced’, regulations that enabling regenerative development. However, a ready- highlight speci c sustainability aims but also include made design plan is not applicable anymore. We need positive incentives to encourage sustainability. It was co-evolutionary and dynamic processes that include also revealed that currently, the planning regulations place-based knowledge, understanding of nature, and do not focus enough on sustainability matters, willingness to change how we function and value life. although the eld is changing, and this will be more emphasized in the upcoming years.
Overall, the mindset change required for regenerative 6.2. Are we ready for development was mentioned as being the greatest regenerative future? obstacle. While it seems challenging to even set sustainability as the number one objective, the idea As an emerging paradigm for system change, of reversing our thinking from doing-less-harm to regenerative design and development are still lacking aiming for a net-positive human-nature partnership conceptualization but also application, especially requires not only a change in worldview but also when considering them in the urban context. in our attitudes and actions. Also, the de nition e conceptualizations of regenerative design and of regenerative design and development was seen development in the current academic discussions challenging in terms of the scale of place and time. are di cult to understand for the actual planners Shifting from a global view back to focusing on and designers of cities, making the implementation local resources, functions, and actions needs some of regenerative approaches challenging and even contemplating. Long-term thinking in sustainability, o -putting. In addition, the actions and solutions stressed in regenerative development, still seems strange supporting regenerative development still require for a world where e ciency and quick results are studying and testing. e lack of factual knowledge and valued. But positively, the ideas of regenerative design accessible approach for planners and designers in o ce and development were noticed and supported, as more makes the concept of regenerative design and development radical actions were called for throughout the interviews. di cult to comprehend and put into practice.
To conclude, the commitment to choose sustainability, At the moment, the discussion on regenerative design or even regeneration, needs enhancing at di erent and development can show the needs for change, levels and as a common goal. Sustainable and pointing out the gaps where the current sustainability ecological approaches, including traditional sustainable paradigm does not work. Recognizing the existing development, have to be included in regenerative design di culties in sustainable urban development, they and development as they are crucial steps towards can be addressed more accurately. However, as a regenerative system. Taking radical sustainability regenerative design and development highlights, steps now will build a path to a more regenerative the change cannot happen in silos but in a holistic future and cities especially are crucial to this process. systemic manner, thus, making it demanding and Longtime researchers of regenerative development complicated for the current societies to change their Mang and Haggard (2016) suggest that in order to strategies, processes, and practices.
103 While gaps can be identi ed, there are also concepts supporting regenerative development outside its current 6.3. Discussing the discourse. As explained in Chapter 3, many approaches context and limitations within urban ecological planning and design discourse align well with regenerative design strategies. For is thesis bases its research on the literature from example, resilience of social-ecological systems also regenerative design and development and urban aims for long-term sustainability while enhancing ecological design. As an emergent eld of study, system health. us, it is also important to look outside the literature in regenerative design has revolved the regenerative design and development discourse to around agriculture and small settlements, without look for complementary solutions and ideas. focusing on urban development. Only recently, some studies have touched upon the notion of Shifting from degenerative systems and practices regenerative design in urban environments, but to regenerative ones, the relationship and harmony thorough research is still missing. My aim for this between human and natural systems can be enforced thesis was to try to locate these discussions and make and holistic health and well-being increased. But sense of what regenerative design is in the urban as explained, the mindset change enabling the context and if regenerative development is possible shift is obligatory. While transformation in terms with cities as platforms of change. Hence, it was also of thinking, values, and views is crucial, often the crucial to include the literature of urban ecological design in the thesis, to create a wider knowledge change happens through actions. By using the actions of what strategies and elements are already being that support regenerative design and development, implemented in the practices. we can also change the mindset. erefore, the current solutions supporting regenerative approaches My objective was not to gain a full understanding presented in this thesis, can act as starting points for of all the things I researched but to make sense of a larger paradigm shift. the systems and processes included in the concepts a systemic way, nally creating a whole in the context e mindset change also requires us humans to rethink of regenerative design and development in urban our role within natural world. e idea in regenerative environments. I realize that this thesis is only a glimpse design is to create a larger system – such as a city – of the topic, as multiple di erent emerging concepts that produces and creates mutual systemic health were introduced, and each element of regenerative for both human and natural systems while enabling design and development should be studied also long-term sustainability. Hence, the role of humans is individually to gain further understanding. However, crucial in regenerative design, as co-existing partners as I see myself as a systems thinker rather than a of other natural systems. If mechanistic worldview specialist in the eld, it was crucial to try to locate taught us to think ourselves above nature and rulers and analyze the elements, actors, and processes of of natural resources, in regenerative world we need to the topic rather than focus on a speci c notion of start thinking ourselves as equals with other natural regenerative design. systems. But even more urgently, we need to change the way we view life and its sustaining systems and In regard to the previous, the thesis hopes to contribute discard the degenerative patterns when developing to the extremely current and vital discussion of our world. sustainable urban development and how it could be supported, enhanced, and elevated to regenerative urban development. It also introduces the ideas of regenerative design into urban design discourse,
104 positively raising the bar of what we consider as sustainable and possibly initiating further actions. In 6.4. Implications for addition to regenerative approaches, the change will further research require e orts and collaboration between businesses, NGOs, citizens, decision-makers, and researchers but As this thesis is multidisciplinary research with by understanding the current state of play, we can systems thinking approach, evidently the ndings start to address the di culties and possibilities. focusing on speci c matters require to be further researched in the future within di erent disciplines. As one of the regenerative design’s main strategies Nevertheless, it is clear that regenerative elements is place-based thinking, it is also worth noting that and approaches do exist and are valuable in the the context of this thesis and its ndings is a Nordic urban context, thus invigorating many new avenues welfare state and its medium-sized capital city area. for research in architecture, urban design and Hence, the results stated in the case study part planning, ecology, sociology, politics, service and cannot be generalized to any other particular place product design, and material research to mention a than Kruunuvuorenranta and Helsinki, Finland. few. Specializing in a speci c aspect of regenerative However, the theoretical part is trying to make sense design creates endless opportunities for further of the concepts related to regenerative design and inspection. development at a more general level, thus the notions Also, as the aim of regenerative development is to made there are applicable to wider contexts. form a dynamic, holistic, and systemic view of the world, the research landscape is everchanging. e e process of the thesis also demonstrated that while current research responds to the current situation, many people participating in the development of thus the understanding of systems-level of change Kruunuvuorenranta were interested in the topic, still needs to be continuously evaluated and redirected. a small sample of interviewees was actually willing As the discussion about sustainability challenges to be interviewed. is resulted in framing to design at the beginning of this thesis also reminded, the and planning level actors as, for example, the project environmental and social crises with megatrends management level was not available for interviews. can change the course of development and life Hence, the thesis is lacking the managerial and unexpectedly and fast. economic view which are also important parts of any urban development project. But with framing to ere is also a need for studying tangible solutions design and planning, the thesis also follows my own for regenerative design, as case studies of urban personal interest and background as a designer, while environments with regenerative approaches are an engineer’s or economist’s view would have resulted scarce. By understanding the operative means to in a di erent type of thesis. further regenerative design, it will be easier to adapt to the global, national, and city-level strategies. Also, as suggested by the ndings from the interviews, resources and education on sustainability and ecology are needed for all the disciplines involved in urban design and planning processes if regenerative design is emphasized. Understanding social-ecological systems holistically and working in transdisciplinary ways will generate healthy and resilient networks and processes.
105 themes involved in the discussion, act as a middleman 6.5. Designer- of sorts in between the worlds of design and urban gardener’s reflections sustainability. Aalto et al. (2018) note that there is a gap between the two disciplines of ecology and design e Regenesis Group, pioneers of regenerative design in the ways of thinking although the ecological and and development, has referred to a regenerative design knowledge should co-exist. is thesis is my designer being ‘a gardener’ (Mang & Reed, 2012). attempt to co-exist with my two knowledge bases. is new role of designer is further explained by Benne and Mang (2015) as follows: One of the greatest learnings from the thesis process was that feeling uncomfortable is the goal, not A gardener does not ‘make’ a garden. Instead, a skilled nding solutions. As Wahl (2016) points out, the gardener is one who has developed an understanding aim of reaching regenerative sustainability is to nd of the key processes operating in the garden. rough questions, not answers. Before bumping into this careful observations of the conditions of the garden’s notion, the thesis process felt overpowering and too ecosystem at any given time, a savvy gardener complex to handle, but after acknowledging my role identi es core processes that are impaired and makes as a sense-maker asking questions, the process itself judicious decisions on how and where to intervene started to make sense. ese feelings also re ect on to reestablish the ows of energy that are vital to the the di culty of changing the mindset, contemplated health of the garden. (p. 10) in this thesis earlier. Transforming the ways we think is not easy and straightforward task, it can be is notion of a designer as a gardener resonated a painful and long learning experience mixed with on me when I rst was introduced to the ideas of multiple feelings. But as nature has always found regenerative design in the course Systems inking a way to cope and renew itself with new strategies, for Sustainable Living Environment in 2019. I innovative approaches, and multiple solutions, so can happen to be a designer by profession, but I am also we humans. All the dimensions we need to tackle the a trained gardener, a horticulturalist. I have always current ecological, social, and economic challenges, been intrigued by the universe’s and nature’s forms, can be closer than we expected: within the knowledge functions, and solutions. But my dualistic background of nature. had left me feeling rather confused, wondering how I could use all my knowledge and skills in a meaningful way. Regenerative design gave me the answer. Not only because I could declare my love of nature and proclaim how spectacular and clever it is with its designs but also because I realized that I had always been a systems thinker, rather than a specialist. Regenerative design gave me absolution.
My personal connection and interest in the topic was also the reason why I chose to study regenerative design and development in this thesis. By combining all my knowledge from nature, design, systems thinking, and creative sustainability, I felt I had a suitable perspective and background to investigate the
106 107 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
With a sincere gratitude I want to thank my supervisor Eeva Berglund for her continuous support, patience and honesty. You challenged me, helped me push further and nd focus when it seemed impossible.
ank you for my advisors Aija Sta ans and Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen for introducing me to the topic of regenerative design in the Systems inking for Sustainable Living Environment course in 2019. Furthermore, I want to thank you for believing in me and the importance of the topic, and for all the discussions and meaningful questions that helped me during this process.
I want to express my gratitude for all the interviewees who participated in this study: thank you Alpo Tani, Henna Koponen, Ilona Mansikka, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä, Pasi Heikkonen, Raisa Kiljunen-Siirola, Raimo Pakarinen, Riikka Nousiainen, Tyko Saarikko and Varpu Mikola for making time to share your thoughts and knowledge and being truly interested in the topic.
Special thank you to my friend and classmate Natalia Villaman for your priceless advices during the whole process. You always believed in me and stood by me while keeping me grounded and laughing. You are the social sphere of my sustainability.
Also, a major thanks to all my friends and family who have supported me in my journey.
Last but not least, I want to thank the people involved in the Creative Sustainability program: for being an empathetic and supportive community and for teaching me that being a generalist and systems thinker is okay.
108 109 REFERENCES
Literature review references
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121 FIGURES AND IMAGES
Figures
Figure 1. e social and ecological sustainability level of the countries of the world. Source: O’Neill et al. 2018 © SYKE & SITRA.
Figure 2. e research landscape of the thesis. Visualization by author.
Figure 3. e thesis process based on the double diamond design model. Visualization by author.
Figure 4. e socio-economic and Earth system trends of ‘Great Acceleration’. Source: Ste en et al. (2015b).
Figure 5. e Doughnut Model as a framework for securing the safe and just space for humanity. Source: Kate Raworth (2012).
Figure 6. e paradigms of current sustainable development and regenerative development. Based on the ideas of Du Plessis (2012). Visualization by author.
Figure 7. e contrast of technical system design and living system design. Source: Regenesis Group (n.d.).
Figure 8. e di erent levels of ecological design and development by Gibbons et al. (2018).
Figure 9. Earth’s four natural systems based on ompson et al. (2018).
Figure 10. Miller’s model of di erent levels of living systems. Source: Miller (1965).
Figure 11. Ecological principles de ned by the Center for Ecoliteracy (Wahl, 2016).
122 Figure 12. e regenerative systems (de ned by Lyle, 1994) compared to the existing linear throughput systems, based on (Hes & du Plessis, 2015).
Figure 13. e scales of regenerative design from local to global. Source: Wahl (2016).
Figure 14. e IFF [International Futures Forum] World System Model (on top), Hodgson (2011). Below is the REGEN tool, developed by Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell (BNIM) in 2012 for the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Figure 15. e model for garden cities by Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928).
Figure 16. Ecopolis, a model for a regenerative city. Source: Girardet (2015).
Fig u re 17. Ecological strategies to sustainaibility. Source: Mang & Reed (2012).
Figure 18. e principles de ned by Biggs & Schlüter (2012) aiming for resilence in societies.
Figure 19. Layer-cake model for ecological land use planning. Source: Ian McHarg (1969).
Figure 20. Ecosystem servicesl. Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA).
Figure 21. Linear versus circular urban metabolism. Source: Girardet (2010).
Figure 22. Strategies for urban metabolism. Source: omson & Newman (2018).
Figure 23. Kruunuvuorenranta is a system by its own, nested within larger urban systems. Visualization by author.
Figure 24. e emission distribution of Uusimaa region in 2018. Source: SYKE – Finnish Environment Institute (2018).
Figure 25. Vision, strategic priorities and objectives of Uusimaa region. Source: Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council (2018).
Figure 26. Goals of climate-smart city strategy. Source: City of Helsinki: Climate- smart Helsinki – Towards more sustainable city planning (2017b).
Figure 27. Rode waste management system in Kruunuvuorenranta. Source: Rode ( n.d).
123 Figure 28. HSY operates in circular economy. Source: HSY (n.d.).
Figure 29. e planning and implementation process in Finnish context. Source: Väyrynen (2007).
Figure 30. Kruunuvuorenranta de ned in di erent planning levels. Source: City of Helsinki and Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.
Figure 31. Kruunuvuorenranta planning and development process showing the points of interviews. Diagram based on visualization from Sta ans et al. (2008).
Figure 32. Current organization map of City of Helsinki. Source: City of Helsinki (n.d.).
Figure 33. e Carbon-neutral Helsinki 2035 Action Plan. Source: City of Helsinki (2018).
Figure 34. e system map for the social-ecological systems and design elements supporting particular systems in Kruunuvuorenranta, based on local detailed plans. Visualization by author.
Figure 35. A framework for urban regenerative design. Visualization by author.
124 Images
Images on cover pages and pages 6, 10, 20, 32, 47, 96 and 107 from Pixabay.
Image 1. Tokyo in December. Source: Dean Cook, Unsplash.
Image 2. Visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta’s Haakoninlahti neighborhood. Source: City of Helsinki, Tyko Saarikko (2011).
Image 3. Visualization of the green areas in Helsinki from the VISTRA report (“Vihreä ja merellinen Helsinki”, 2013). Image by Sirpa Törrönen (2010).
Image 4. Kruunuvuorenranta aerial image before construction. Source: City of Helsinki (2011).
Image 5. e visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta based on the town plan. Source: City of Helsinki (2019).
Image 6. e town plan for Kruunuvuorenranta. Source: City of Helsinki.
Image 7. Visualization of Kruunuvuorenranta’s beach walkways. Source: City of Helsinki (2011).
125 APPENDIX
Appendix 1. The list of interviewees.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Ilona Mansikka Manager, regional planning REGIONAL PLAN Council
Strategic Urban Planner City of Helsinki Alpo Tani MASTER PLAN (climate)
City of Helsinki Raisa Kiljunen-Siirola Landscape architect, Planner
LOCAL DETAILED City of Helsinki Tyko Saarikko Architect, Planner PLAN
ENVIRONMENT City of Helsinki / Helsingin Environmental inspector / Raimo Pakarinen (master and local kaupungin ympäristökeskus Ecologist detailed plan level)
CONSTRUCTION *Anonymous* Pasi Heikkonen Technical manager COMPANIES
ARCHITECT / Varpu Mikola and Riikka LANDSCAPE Nomaji Oy Landscape architects ARCHITECT Nousiainen COMPANIES
JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy Juha Mäki-Jyllilä Architect, owner
RESIDENTS Henna Koponen Photographer, entrepreneur
In addition to the interviews conducted as listed above, several actors were contacted for interviews but declined or were not reached. These included the project management level, consultancies, construction companies, architect and landscape architect companies and residents and resident organizations.
126 Appendix 2. Interview questions of the semi-structured interviews.
Background
1. What is your role in this organization?
2. What was your role in the Kruunuvuorenranta development project?
Nature as a partner
3. How do you see nature as part of urban design, planning and construction? What is the role of nature in urban environments?
4. How important is taking sustainability (ecological, social, economic) into account when designing urban environments? How is it taking into account at the moment?
5. What do you think is regenerative design and development (the defnition)? Could it be relevant in urban design and planning? Are there elements that could be utilized?
Values and goals 6. What are the current priorities/goals when Helsinki is designed? Why? Who are the actors driving these priorities? In your opinion, what should be the priority? Why?
7. How can you impact the priorities in your own role within your organization?
Kruunuvuorenranta
8. In your opinion, how is nature and environment taken into account in the design and construction of Kruunuvuorenranta (role of nature, successes in sustainability)?
9. Helsinki has an action plan to be carbon-neutral by 2035. Also, climate-smart city planning is being emphasized when designing Helsinki as well as environmental information. How can these goals and ways to design be seen at Kruunuvuorenranta? What could have been done differently?
10. Is there something/some actor missing in the processes of planning, designing and constructing Kruunuvuorenranta in terms of enabling further sustainability?
11. What regenerative can be found in the regional/master/local detailed plan in terms of Kruunuvuorenranta? / How is sustainability taking into account in the plans? (refection of success). Tell concrete examples. If there are none, why is that?
12. What limitations or hindrances do you see in the processes in terms of sustainability (political, practices, processes…)?
127 Appendix 3. Description of the analysis methods for the interviews
1. The interviews were recorded and transcribed in Finnish and then imported to Atlas.ti program for analyzing.
2. I created a coding system based on P.O.I.N.T.S. analysis (SILK, 2008) that is categorized to problems, opportunities, insights, needs, and challenges. Also, based on my research questions I added codes for drivers, gaps, and regenerative design with additional later codes that arose during the analysis (image below).
3. I then read through the interviews, marking the signif cant parts with specif c codes (image below). During the process, some codes were changed to be more detailed, e.g. within problems there is several subheadings, to give more precise information. As the parts from the interviews were marked with codes, I got data on what themes are repeating in the discussions while also getting insights on more individual matters.
128 4. After going through the transcripts for several times with the coding system, I started analyzing the data based on the codes (image below). From the codes I could see which themes are the most repetitive ones and could locate the parts in the text to go back to the comments.
129 5. As I started to recognize the themes within the codes, I created a research wall to Miro platform to gather and clutter crucial information with comments (image below). This helped me to analyze what are the most important f ndings from the interviews and how do different themes and notion connect to each other.
130 Appendix 4. The Interactions among Sustainable Development Goals, addressed in the Agenda 2030.
131 Appendix 5. Strategies for Regenerative Design (Lyle, 1994).
Letting nature do the work The natural means is more resource-conserving, less environmentally damaging, less expensive than the chemical means. Using nature’s processes on the site where they occur.
Considering nature as both model and context Maintaining and re-establishing continuity and connections. Every natural landscape is the product of a long period of co-evolution. Biological processes of the landscape generally provide more useful model than physical processes.
Aggregating, not isolating Regenerative design as interactions among parts, the connections as with the parts themselves (if the parts are individually designed, it is difcult if not impossible to combine them into an integrated whole).
Seeking optimum levels for multiple functions, not the maximum or minimum level for any one In regenerative systems: more than one goal; often numerous goals that might confict (complex system, fuzziness and ambiquity).
Matching technology to need There are situations in which high-quality energy or high technology is appropriate.
Using information to replace power The ft between means and ends. The cybernetic principle of feedback as a means of controlling the operations of a system.
Providing multiple pathways In most cases, regenerative technologies are relatively small in scale and suited to specifc applications under particular conditions. Greater complexity and the need for more decisions than industrial alternatives.
Seeking common solutions to disparate problems Industrial life-support systems tend to be clearly separated into distinct categories, natural systems do not recognize such distinctions.
Managing storage as a key to sustainability Maintaining adequate storage and balancing the rate of replenishment and release with the rate of use Ever-varying maintainer of equilibrium. All natural processes have their storages.
Shaping form to guide fow Flow follows form follows fow. Energy and material fows occur within the physical medium largely determines the pace and direction of fow.
Shaping form to manifest process The regenerative technology tends to occur in everyday life, and thus be highly visible > difcult for many people to accept and relate to. Changing our habits and thoughts to manifest harmony.
132 Prioritizing for sustainability Modern industrial technology still dominates, we will need to prioritize. Appendix 6. Actors in Kruunuvuorenranta*. ACTORS IN KRUUNUVUORENRANTA*
OWNERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT DESIGN & PLANNING ADVISORY & PARTICIPATION
Land owners: Building companies: City of Helsinki; Urban Environment Division Other stakeholders: Resident and other organizations: • City of Helsinki • City of Helsinki • Kaupunkisuunnitteluvirasto • Helsingin kaupunginosayhdistysten liitto ry • Oy Esso Ab (St1) • Oy Skanska Ab • Uudenmaan elinkeino-, liikenne- ja • Laajasalo - Degerö Seura ry • Oy Shell Ab • Bonava Architects, landscape architects: ympäristökeskus • Laajasalotoimikunta • Aarne Aarnio ja Saara • Peab • Anttinen Oiva Arkkitehdit • Helsingin seudun ympäristöpalvelut • Laajasalon pienkiinteistöyhdistys ry Aarnion perikunta • TA-yhtymä • Arkkitehdit NRT Oy -kuntayhtymä (HSY) • Stansvikin Kyläyhdistys • Private land owners of • Asuntosäätiön Rakennuttaja Oy • JKMM Arkkitehdit Oy • YTV:n jätehuoltolaitos • Kaitalahden yhteisalueiden hoitokunta southern Kaitalahti • YIT • ALA Architects • Helsingin talous- ja suunnittelukeskus sekä • Hästnäs ry • Kruunuvuori Real • VVO/Kojamo Oy • Playa arkkitehdit sen kehittämisosasto • Pelastuslaitoksen kesämajayhdistys ry Estate Oy / Skanska • Lujatalo • Arkkitehtuuritoimisto B&M Oy • Kiinteistöviraston tonttiosasto sekä sen • Tahvonlahden Venekerho ry Talonrakennus Oy • Settlementti-asunnot • Verstas Arkkitehdit Oy tilakeskus • Mountain Bike Club Finland ry • NCC • Arkkitehtitoimisto Sari Nieminen Oy • Asuntotuotantotoimisto • Y-Säätiö • Molino Oy • Liikennelaitos • Merimieseläkekassa • Virearc arkkitehdit ja maisema-arkkitehdit • Ympäristökeskus Tenants: • Alkuasunnot • Huttunen-Lipasti-Pakkala arkkitehdit • Liikuntavirasto Citizens of Helsinki • Neste Oil Oyj • Rakennuskartio • Serum Arkkitehdit Oy • Sosiaalivirasto • Oy Esso Ab • EKE-Rakennus • Arkkitehtitoimisto HMV Oy • Opetusvirasto • Setynoil Oy • Hartela • ARK-house arkkitehdit Oy • Pelastuslaitos • Jyty Helsinki ry • Avain Asumisoikeus • Arkkitehtitoimisto AJAK • Yleisten töiden lautakunta • Pelastuslaitoksen • Ryhmärakennus • Arkkitehdit Frondelius+Keppo+Salmenperä Oy • Rakennusvalvontavirasto kesäkotiyhdistys ry • A-Kruunu • Rakennusviraston katu- ja puisto-osasto • Voimistelu- ja • Saraco • Masu Planning • Terveyskeskus urheiluseura Uuraan • LOCI - maisema-arkkitehdit • Kaupunginmuseo Vilpas ry • West 8 urban design & landscape architecture • Museovirasto • Speirs+Major • Suomenlinnan hoitokunta • Maisema-arkkitehdit Byman & Ruokonen Oy • Helsingin Energia • Näkymä maisema-arkkitehdit • Helsingin Sähköverkko Oy • Helsingin Vesi + Architects & landscape architects • Helsingin seudun liikenne participating in competitions • Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä • Helsingin luonnonsuojeluyhdistys ry Consultancies and experts: • Helsingin Yrittäjät ry • Ramboll Finland Oy • Turvatekniikan keskus • Fundatec Oy • Elisa Oyj • Taske/FCG Oy • Telia-Sonera Finland Oyj • WSP Finland Oy • DNA Oy • Innovarch Oy • Huoltovarmuuskeskus • Trafx y • Ilmailulaitos • Enviro Oy • Ilmatieteen laitos • Fundus Oy • Merentutkimuslaitos • L2 Paloturvallisuus Oy • Serum Oy • Wermundsen Consulting Oy • Insinööritoimisto Devacon Oy • Insinööritoimisto Oy Matti Ollila & Co • Jaakko Pöyry Infra • SCC Viatek • URS Nordic AB • Insinööritoimisto Kari Pesonen Oy • Fortum Oil and Gas Oy • Linea Konsultit Oy • Maa ja Vesi Oy • Itäisen Maanpuolustusalueen Esikunta • Tampereen Työterveyslaitos • SCC Viatek • Suomen Malmi Oy • Suunnittelukeskus Oy • Viatek Oy • EP-Logistics Oy • Catella Property Consultants • Insinööritoimisto Akukon Oy • Kala- ja vesitutkimus Oy • Vahanen Environment Oy *List of actors is based on the • Luode Consulting Oy existing local detailed plans and • Sito Oy property maps of Kruunuvuoren- • Jätteen putkikeräys Oy ranta (City of Helsinki) • Marimatic Oy
133