Revitalising our Urban Landscapes: A Call for Territorial Regeneration

Radulova-Stahmer, Radostina (2024) Revitalising our Urban Landscapes: A Call for Territorial Regeneration. KEEP ON PLANNING FOR THE REAL WORLD. Climate Change calls for Nature-based Solutions and Smart Technologies. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2024, 29th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 451-456. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

The paper addresses the urgent need for a paradigm shift in response to the escalating climate crisis. The paper draws on Jem Bendell's concept of Deep Adaptation, emphasizing the inadequacy of traditional adaptive measures in the face of unprecedented environmental risks. (Bendell, 2018) The central theme revolves around the imperative to transition from a fossil-fuel economy to a post-carbon society. It underscores the severity of the biosphere crisis, as evidenced by alarming biodiversity loss and the exponential increase in global fossil fuel consumption. The urgency emphasized in Bendell's call for action since 2018 underscores the need for a radical reevaluation of conventional adaptation paradigms. The transition proposed is not only quantitative but also qualitative, demanding a profound societal transformation. The paper introduces the concept of “Territorial Transition” as a strategic approach to climate-oriented systemic change. This involves spatial strategies that integrate climate potentials and large-scale considerations, aiming for long-term coexistence of all species. It challenges the conventional notion of adaptation and advocates for relinquishing unsustainable practices. (Armengaud et al., 2023) Additionally, the paper delves into the significance of moving beyond mere resilience to embrace regeneration actively. The call for regeneration goes beyond mitigating harm; it demands active participation in the healing of ecosystems through regenerative agriculture, reforestation, and biodiversity preservation. The acknowledgment of inevitability is a crucial aspect of Deep Adaptation, recognizing irreversible impacts of climate change. The essay emphasizes the need for agile planning and design in the face of uncertainty, questioning traditional practices and advocating for both immediate territorial transition and ecological regeneration. The interdisciplinary perspective is highlighted through the Berlin Declaration of the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning, urging a shift from anthropocentrism to an eco-centric framework. The author urges a shift in systemic thinking and action, recognizing the interconnectedness of urban and rural areas in a spatial network. (DASL, 2022) In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the necessity for architects, urbanists, and planners to move beyond anthropocentrism and engage in territorial regeneration. This involves reimagining urban spaces as dynamic ecosystems that actively contribute to the well-being of both humans and the more-than-human world. The call is for a profound shift in discipline, from building to regenerating, with territorial regeneration being the key to revitalizing landscapes and addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Regenerative Design, Deep Adaptation, Territorial Transition, Sufficiency, Uncertainty
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	29 Apr 2024 08:04
Last Modified:	10 May 2024 09:19
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/1111

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