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Drivers and Barriers Leading to a Successful Paradigm Shift toward Regenerative Neighborhoods

Author

Listed:
  • Edeltraud Haselsteiner

    (Urbanity—Architecture, Art, Culture and Literature, 1140 Vienna, Austria)

  • Blerta Vula Rizvanolli

    (Department of Architecture and Spatial Planning, UBT College, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo)

  • Paola Villoria Sáez

    (TEMA Research Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Odysseas Kontovourkis

    (Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus)

Abstract

Regenerative sustainability is gaining great attention as an essential concept for a transformative process, a re-designed mindset shifting from the narrowed focus of considering particular aspects such as energy efficiency, renewable materials, or sustainable technology towards the creation of a self-regenerating social and ecological system. Apart from being a vision of the future, regenerative sustainability has already been implemented successfully in individual projects, plans, and extensive strategies. The goals of this research are (1) to set up the conceptual framework for regenerative sustainability principles in the built environment; (2) to investigate and identify the drivers and barriers faced during the implementation of regenerative principles in the built environment; and (3) to identify gaps in the paradigm shift towards regenerative districts and macro-level projects. A multi-stage methodology was implemented. First, an in-depth literature review was conducted aiming to understand regenerative sustainability state of the art and define the key principles. Then, quantitative data analysis was conducted aiming to identify drivers and barriers of regenerative implementation in buildings following by semi-structured interviews with the representatives of regenerative buildings or districts. The step-by-step methodology resulted in the identified drivers of applying the regenerative principles, which are available financial incentives; marketing and sales benefits; improved companies/investors market image and competitive market advantage; reduced building lifecycle costs/effective use of energy and resources; enhancement buildings’ users’ well-being; and receiving building certification. The main barriers identified were lack of knowledge and experience working with regenerative materials and technologies by employees, consultants, and construction companies and usage of the available tools that enable such constructions; overall stakeholders’ culture and their resistance to changing their mindset toward a regenerative approach; inadequacy of national and international standards and legislation to address regenerative policies; and increased construction cost and time and lack of financial incentives. Ultimately, during the broad examination of the case studies, regenerative qualities served as a valuable insight to understand barriers and drivers at neighborhood and macro levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Edeltraud Haselsteiner & Blerta Vula Rizvanolli & Paola Villoria Sáez & Odysseas Kontovourkis, 2021. "Drivers and Barriers Leading to a Successful Paradigm Shift toward Regenerative Neighborhoods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5179-:d:549434
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    1. William Craft & Lan Ding & Deo Prasad, 2021. "Developing a Decision-Making Framework for Regenerative Precinct Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Doil Kim & Kabsung Kim, 2022. "Financial Support for Neighborhood Regeneration: A Case Study of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.

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