A regenerative sustainability framework: examining regenerative sustainability principles, practices, and potential for urban sustainability transformations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Transforming cities towards sustainable futures is urgent. However, dominant piecemeal and technocratic approaches to advancing sustainability in cities are insufficient for addressing the scale and complexity of urban sustainability transformations required. The emerging paradigm of “regenerative sustainability” holds promise for disrupting business-as-usual practices, including the systems and structures that perpetuate unsustainable pathways in cities. As interest in regenerative sustainability grows, there is a pressing need for greater conceptual clarity, as well as a deeper understanding of its principles and implications for urban transformation. This review examines how “regenerative sustainability” is defined, discussed, and applied in the literature. A systematic approach to locate relevant literature and thematic analysis identified principles and practices that underscore regenerative sustainability. The principles emphasise that regenerative sustainability is underscored by holistic and integrated worldviews (Principle 1); emerges through dynamic processes (Principle 2); is situated and place-based (Principle 3); and ultimately enhances collective flourishing for all life (Principle 4). Key practices associated with regenerative sustainability include systems, futures, circular, relational and participatory, and nature-based approaches. Drawing on these findings the paper proposes a novel “Regenerative Sustainability Framework” and offers the following definition: Regenerative sustainability is underscored by holistic worldviews and emerges through collaborative, context sensitive processes that support the ongoing capacity for all human and non-human life to flourish, now and in the future. Discussion explores the potential regenerative sustainability offers for urban sustainability transformations and identifies opportunities to strengthen research, policy, and practice, including a more explicit focus on equity and justice.Policy highlightsA regenerative sustainability framework challenges piecemeal and technocratic approaches to sustainability, which are insufficient for addressing the scale, urgency, and complexity of sustainability transformations required in cities.Regenerative sustainability policies should employ a holistic lens to recognise and respond to interdependencies between systems and mitigate unintended impacts.Policies should support the ongoing capacity for flourishing, and be designed with the flexibility to learn, adapt, and continuously improve over time.Policies should be situated and relationally constructed with communities to reflect diverse knowledges, values, and priorities.Regenerative sustainability policies must demonstrate net positive outcomes that enhance collective flourishing of humans and non-humans, now and in the future.
Source: Local Environment
Author: Kate Prendergast
Institution: University of Canterbury
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7153259622