Conference Agenda

At a very basic level, regeneration is often understood as an enhanced version of sustainability, as it advocates for positive impact rather than solely minimizing the negative impacts of human activity. However, when we look more closely at the diversity of knowledge being built around the topic, we can see that regeneration extends beyond this framing. It carries principles of inclusion of more-than-human realms into the design processes; it questions dominant narratives, paradigms, and epistemologies by exposing mechanisms of subjugation and erasure that remain in place today; it places connection and re-connection at its core as a way of imagining alternatives to prevailing mindsets, among other dimensions.

As designers, we are presented with an opportunity to contribute to the creation of a shared understanding that can bring forth the potential of this concept while guiding practices toward a more solid and coherent body of knowledge. For this to happen, we first need to recognise ourselves: to reflect on the terminologies and principles under which we have been working, and to identify what we hold in common.

This conversation will draw on the convenors’ complementary backgrounds in regenerative design practice, material-based research, and experimental pedagogies to spark dialogue among all of us in the room, creating a space for collective sense-making. Through an interactive format, we aim to collaboratively develop an initial, living map of what we, together, understand as “regenerative design.”

Our idea is to invite all those in the room to contribute bringing key-points for the co-creation of the proposed map, using interactive tools to ensure a plural yet productive session.