From Sustainability to a Regenerative Economy – Planet-Centric Transformation in the Face of Contemporary Challenges

The text is devoted to the idea of regenerative development, which is a response to the challenges of the climate crisis, depletion of natural resources and social inequalities, going beyond the traditional approach of sustainable development. Regenerativity is treated as a premise for active repair and reconstruction of natural and social systems, for their further evolution and strengthening. The changes of the goals of the green transformation are presented, from the ecological economy, through sustainable, to regenerative, the aim of which is to improve the well-being of the environment and meet social needs. The analysis takes into account axiological, economic and social aspects, emphasising the importance of the planetocentric approach and the role of interdisciplinarity in designing innovative solutions, especially in cities.The text stresses that the planetocentric axiology of the transformation requires a departure from traditional economic growth in favor of harmony with ecosystems, focusing on the quality of life, social equality and ecological health. Concepts such as degrowth, zero-growth or the donut economy indicate the need for a profound change in values and development goals, integrating the aforementioned environmental, social and economic goals. Regenerative urban ecosystems and a transdisciplinary approach are key to effective transformation.The idea of regenerative development has a tradition of over a hundred years. Initially, it was associated with the development of urban and rural spaces, and today it is understood as active support for biodiversity and the complexity of living systems. Regenerative design replaces anthropocentrism with a biocentric model, striving for synergy between different areas of human activity to preserve the planet’s evolutionary capabilities. By exploring the axiological, practical, and theoretical foundations of this shift, the article aims to provide a basis for further reflection and action towards a more sustainable and regenerative future. The text is a voice in the discussion on the need to change management paradigms to planet-centric ones, preventing crises and serving a more just future.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Olsztyn Economic Journal
Published
2025-09-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31648/oej.11388
Primary Topic
Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

From Sustainability to a Regenerative Economy – Planet-Centric Transformation in the Face of Contemporary Challenges

Andrzej Kucner
Olsztyn Economic Journal
Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy
article

From Sustainability to a Regenerative Economy – Planet-Centric Transformation in the Face of Contemporary Challenges

Andrzej Kucner
article en

Abstract

The text is devoted to the idea of regenerative development, which is a response to the challenges of the climate crisis, depletion of natural resources and social inequalities, going beyond the traditional approach of sustainable development. Regenerativity is treated as a premise for active repair and reconstruction of natural and social systems, for their further evolution and strengthening. The changes of the goals of the green transformation are presented, from the ecological economy, through sustainable, to regenerative, the aim of which is to improve the well-being of the environment and meet social needs. The analysis takes into account axiological, economic and social aspects, emphasising the importance of the planetocentric approach and the role of interdisciplinarity in designing innovative solutions, especially in cities.The text stresses that the planetocentric axiology of the transformation requires a departure from traditional economic growth in favor of harmony with ecosystems, focusing on the quality of life, social equality and ecological health. Concepts such as degrowth, zero-growth or the donut economy indicate the need for a profound change in values and development goals, integrating the aforementioned environmental, social and economic goals. Regenerative urban ecosystems and a transdisciplinary approach are key to effective transformation.The idea of regenerative development has a tradition of over a hundred years. Initially, it was associated with the development of urban and rural spaces, and today it is understood as active support for biodiversity and the complexity of living systems. Regenerative design replaces anthropocentrism with a biocentric model, striving for synergy between different areas of human activity to preserve the planet’s evolutionary capabilities. By exploring the axiological, practical, and theoretical foundations of this shift, the article aims to provide a basis for further reflection and action towards a more sustainable and regenerative future. The text is a voice in the discussion on the need to change management paradigms to planet-centric ones, preventing crises and serving a more just future.

Olsztyn Economic JournalVol. 20(2)
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 62%
Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.