The Role of Regenerative Design and Biophilic Urbanism in Regional Sustainability. The Case of Curitiba

Abstract

Cities have been growing for centuries based on increasing ecological footprint and degradation of natural ecosystems. This fact reflects the overwhelming impact of human activities on earth’s ecosystems that define the Anthropocene era. Is it possible to transform this negative impact on the environment by making cities become part of the solution? Can cities become drivers for regeneration within their boundaries and beyond, over their bioregions? Regenerative design is beginning to demonstrate that existing degraded precincts can be revitalized, and new ones can be designed as quality living environments that are able to regenerate urban ecosystems. Biophilic urbanism brings nature into the daily functioning of cities, by creating new niches for ecosystems ensuring ecosystem services, biodiversity restoration, recreation, leisure and beauty. The combined application of regenerative design and biophilic urbanism creates the potential for cities to become a source of restoration and regeneration of waterways and degraded areas within and beyond the urban boundaries into the surrounding bioregion. This chapter sets out the major features of regenerative design and biophilic urbanism and uses Curitiba, Brazil’s ecological city, as a case study to show the potential of these two social ecological approaches to urban and regional planning. Curitiba has developed successful strategies that encompass design concepts towards regeneration of regional ecosystems based on the multiple benefits of urban greening.