What is Regenerative Design?
When I talk to people about Life-Centered Design, a common response is:
"Oh, so it's like Regenerative Design?"
My honest answer has often been, "Maybe?" because, truthfully, I wasn't sure what Regenerative Design really entailed. That curiosity sparked this blog.
I've gathered five definitions from thought leaders and organizations to better understand the concept and explore where it overlaps with and diverges from Life-Centered Design.
First, What Does "Regenerate" Mean?
Before diving into definitions, I want to look at the verb to Regenerate
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains this as:
formed or created again
spiritually reborn or converted
restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state
This framing is crucial—it suggests renewal, rebirth, and transformation, not just repair or maintenance.
Insights from Leaders in Regenerative Design
Let's start with two pioneers in the regenerative design & development field. Bill Reed and Daniel Christian Wahl. In his article Regenerative Development & Design published in 2012, Bill Reed describes regenerative design as:
"Regenerative Design: a system of technologies and strategies, based on an understanding of the inner working of ecosystems that generates designs to regenerate rather than deplete underlying life support systems and resources within socio-ecological wholes."
Daniel Christian Wahl, has a beautiful piece in his Medium called The regenerative impulse of life he shares the beauty of regeneration:
"The way forward is the way back to life, back to a place we love and cherish together. It is the way home. Cultural regeneration requires remembering that health does not begin in the lab, but in the compost, in relationships, in the way we care for a place. Regeneration is less about saving the world and more about understanding our role in it again — our relatedness to life."
In his RCA X Design for Good Masterclass talk ,he explains Regeneration. It is worth watching.
Arup, a global consultancy for the built environment, says:
"Regenerative design is an approach in which human and natural systems are designed to co-exist and co-evolve over time. The value of a regenerative design approach is in its potential to regenerate planetary health and deliver positive outcomes for both people and planet. "
Teacher and futurist Zahara Chetty explains regenerative design as:
"A holistic approach that goes beyond sustainability and sets a new standard for ecological performance. It's not just about minimizing harm but actively working to regenerate the natural environment and support human well-being. Whether it's in architecture, product design, fashion, or any other field, regenerative design offers a new way of creating solutions that are not only functional but also beneficial to the environment and society."
Zahara is from South Africa and offers a unique perspective that I, as a European citizen, lack. When we recently met online, she explained that African people have a profound relationship with the land and nature. They do not view it merely as a resource; instead, they have a deep understanding of the interdependence between humans and their natural environment.
She also shared other intriguing insights: she believes that Africa is ahead of Europe in many aspects. She suggested that Europeans, having access to everything, tend to become complacent, while people from the African continent are generally more open to innovation and change.
ThinkPlace, a leading strategic design consultancy in the world of regeneration operating across the globe, tells us:
"Regenerative design is an innovative approach to creating sustainable and eco-friendly environments. It is a holistic approach to public policy design, sector transformation, and an organization's business model design, products and services. It goes beyond simply reducing negative impacts on the environment and communities. Regenerative design uses whole systems thinking to create resilient and equitable systems that integrate the needs of society with the integrity of nature. Regenerative design considers the entire lifespan of a policy, an organization, a brand or a project – making sure that it contributes positively to the environment and communities it affects. "
Image from Kosmos Journal
So, What About Life-Centered Design?
Life-Centered Design (LCD) takes a slightly different lens while emerging from similar values. We define it as:
"An actionable design approach that gives designers and other creatives the mindset, opportunity and ability to include all life forms in their work and advocate for biological ecosystems and invisible communities. LCD transitions from creating value for end users and shareholders toward adding value for nature, communities, and the economy."
Martin Tomitsch further refines this with:
"An evolution beyond human-centered approaches, emphasizing the inclusion of all life forms and the broader ecosystem in the design process... integrating systems thinking and foresight to create sustainable and beneficial solutions for both humans and the planet."
Martin Tomitsch - Book Designing Tomorrow
Are We Talking About the Same Thing?
So, what are the differences? Or are we simply using different words for the same thing? First, let's be honest—as a design community, we often overcomplicate our practice. With every new shift in perspective or method, we create a new term. I'll admit, I'm part of that pattern, too. While I didn't invent the term Life-Centered Design, I've fully embraced and adopted it because it captures a mindset I believe design urgently needs today.
Regeneration and Life-Centered Design
While Regenerative Design and Life-Centered Design share foundational values—holistic thinking, ecological responsibility, and systems awareness—they differ in focus and intent. Regenerative design is outcome-oriented toward renewal; it aims to repair and enhance ecosystems and communities, creating net-positive outcomes.
On the other hand, Life-Centred Design is action and awareness-driven. It asks us to consciously include all life forms as stakeholders from the outset, shifting value creation beyond humans to encompass the entire web of life. Outcomes from Life-Centered Design can be regenerative, but they will not always be.
In essence, regenerative design focuses more on healing, while life-centered design seeks to care. I believe they are both equally important in today's world and society.
