A wider context, reflection and evolution

The wider context of regenerative design and ecosystem biomimicry within current society is discussed in order to understand how ecosystem-based biomimicry, and indeed biomimicry in general, may or may not influence positive change in built environment design. One of the main conclusions reached is that the social and economic context that causes many of the environmental issues humans are facing is also a barrier to addressing the negative environmental and social outcomes of that same system. Despite this, mimicking the complex interactions between living organisms that make up ecosystems may be a readily available example to learn from and draw upon to create built environments that could integrate with the habitats of other species in a mutually beneficial way. Perhaps more importantly, it has the potential to be part of a survival strategy, given the impending and inevitable impacts of global climate change and the ongoing decline of the health of planetary biodiversity. The wider context of regenerative design and ecosystem biomimicry within current society is discussed in order to understand how ecosystem-based biomimicry, and indeed biomimicry in general, may or may not influence positive change in built environment design. Ecosystem-based biomimicry may also have the ability to challenge human-nature relationships. The majority of biomimicry seems to be for technical innovation rather than to increase the environmental performance of products, technologies and/or the built environment. The ecosystem biomimicry for regenerative design concept could be extended therefore, by a complementary examination of how to determine tangible community regeneration goals, and the incorporation of cultural ecosystem services into ecosystem services analysis processes. Ecological regeneration goals for developments can be provided by ecosystem services analysis of a particular place. The creation of regenerative urban environments or even single buildings, challenges human habitats to give back to rather than just take from the ecosystems they are part of as part of an evolving reciprocal relationship.