Enhancing Regenerative Design Practices in the United Kingdom's Construction Industry

This study uniquely explores the potential for expanding regenerative design practices within the United Kingdom’s construction industry. Regenerative design is a key method for combatting environmental degradation and biodiversity loss through the implementation of new habitats, circular economies and promoting the coexistence of humankind and the natural environment. This research consists of an industry survey investigating current awareness, implementation and obstacles surrounding regenerative design. This survey identified significant gaps in knowledge, prohibitive costs and delays in the local authority approvals process as critical hindrances to progress. Despite 72% of respondents to the survey identifying they were aware of regenerative design, a small fraction of this number demonstrated solid understanding and application of these practices, with only 25% of participants identifying themselves as having an above average understanding of regenerative design. Recommendations to overcome these roadblocks to progress include integrating regenerative design into academic courses by developing specialised modules and workshops, establishing standard details for regenerative features to reduce the delays incurred during technical approval processes and offering financial incentives to encourage wider adoption through tax breaks and public-private partnerships. This research underscores the urgent requirement to adopt regenerative design, to revolutionise the construction industry from sustainability focused principles to active repair and net-positive approaches. These practices are the only way to reverse the destruction already inflicted upon our natural ecosystems and prevent future harm to human health. Future research should aim to build on what has been accomplished to date and begin assessing how specific actions may lead to wider implementation of regenerative design.