Regenerative sustainability; rethink, reimagine and redesign the human presence on Earth

Given current trajectories, transformation of human societies in some form is inevitable. The Anthropocene implies real risks of destabilizing the Earth system, undermining all attempts for equitable human development on our planet.
The sustainability concept fails to offer guidance on how to arbitrate between the conflicting drivers of economic growth, planetary boundaries and social justice.

Faced with multiple converging crises it is time to rethink, reimagine and redesign the human presence on Earth!

Where sustainable practices seek to maintain systems without degrading them, we feel that we need to go further and look for regenerative practices  that recognize how natural systems are  impacted and apply techniques to restore systems to improved productivity.

Arcadis wishes to know more about ways to transform our current degenerative and exploitative impact on Earth into a regenerative impact. What can we do to create a regenerative impact on communities, ecosystems, regional economies and the biosphere as a living and constantly transforming whole?

Regenerative sustainability differs in two keyways. First, it recognized the interconnectedness between human and environmental wellbeing and focuses equally on both. Second, it emphasized the goal of creating net positive outcomes in human and environmental wellbeing, not just reductions in damage or doing no harm. In other words,  can our activities improve both environmental quality and human wellbeing?

So we challenge this year’s PREMIUM student to come with us on this journey. Let’s define the perspective and guidelines of regenerative sustainability that guarantee regenerating relationships that allow for these socioeconomic and ecological systems to continuously evolve.

Arcadis is the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets. We are 27,000 people, active in over 70 countries that generate €3.3 billion in revenues. We support UN-Habitat with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world.