Protopia Studio
Regenerative Design
Challenge:
The City of Amsterdam is exploring ways to make urban development more sustainable and regenerative. The challenge: how can the city not only cause less damage but also truly contribute to the recovery of ecological and social systems?
Our role:
Protopia Studio conducted research into international best practices and analyzed existing policies and initiatives in the city. Based on this research, we developed a framework of eight design principles, a layered urban planning model, and a database of examples.
Impact / result:
The project delivered an inspiring vision and concrete tools for policy, design, and practice. The bottom line: a regenerative city gives back more than it takes. It restores and strengthens the ecological and social systems of which it is a part. It helped the City of Amsterdam translate regenerative principles to its own urban context and guide future policies and initiatives. New concepts for Amsterdam were proposed, from soil improvement and cooperative food systems to regenerative procurement policies and educational programs.