Regenerative Cities

Abstract

The concept of regenerative cities is seeking to address the relationship between cities and their hinterland, and beyond that with the more distant territories that supply them with water, food, timber and other vital resources. We need to re-enrich the landscapes on which cities depend, and this includes measures to increase their capacity to absorb carbon emissions. Creating a restorative relationship between cities, their local hinterland and the world beyond, means harnessing new opportunities in fi nancial, technology, policy and business practice. This text argues that the established horizon of urban ecology should be expanded to include all the territories involved in sustaining urban systems. Urban regeneration thus takes on the meaning of eco-regeneration. At the start of the twenty fi rst century, humanity is becoming a predominantly urban species and this historic development represents a fundamental, systemic change in the relationship between humans and nature . Urban-based economic activities account for 55 % of GNP in the least developed countries, 73 % in middle income countries and 85 % in the most developed countries (UN Habitat 2006). Modern cities, then, are defi ned by the concentration of economic activities and intense human interaction. This is refl ected in high average levels of personal con-sumption and the effi cient supply of a great variety of services at comparatively low per-capita cost s. But the environmental impacts of an urbanising humanity are a great cause for concern. Apart from a near monopoly on the use of fossil fuels , met-als and concrete, an urbanizing humanity now consumes nearly half of nature 's annual photosynthetic capacity as well.