As urban areas continue to expand, cities across Europe face the challenge of balancing development with environmental preservation. Sweco’s latest study reveals a transformative opportunity: by embracing regenerative design, cities can enhance their green-blue spaces by up to 42%, addressing biodiversity loss and promoting urban resilience. But what exactly does regenerative design entail, and how can it shape the future of European cities?

Europe’s cities are home to 75% of its population, making urban areas the epicenter of societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Rapid development has often sacrificed natural landscapes for grey infrastructure. This leads to diminished biodiversity, increased flood risks, and rising urban heat. However, Sweco’s recent report demonstrates that regenerative design offers a powerful solution to this crisis. By prioritizing nature-based systems and green-blue infrastructure, cities can not only mitigate environmental harm but actively restore ecosystems and enhance liveability.

What is Regenerative Design?

Regenerative design is an approach to urban development that aims to restore and rejuvenate natural ecosystems, rather than merely minimizing damage. It integrates natural and semi-natural systems into the built environment. This ensures that cities give back to the environment while fostering biodiversity. Unlike traditional sustainability, which focuses on reducing harm, regenerative design promotes a net-positive impact. It creates spaces that support both people and nature.

Why Europe’s Urban Ecosystems Are in Decline

According to the European Environment Agency, 81% of Europe’s protected habitats are in poor condition, and only 9% are improving. Urbanization has played a significant role in this decline, with cities paving over natural surfaces, channeling waterways, and removing critical vegetation. Sweco’s study emphasizes that this trend not only threatens biodiversity but also essential ecosystem services such as clean water, air purification, and food production.

The Urgency of Regenerative Design in Cities

“The decline of biodiversity is progressing at an alarming rate,” says Tobias Nauwelaers, a Sweco expert in urban ecology and nature restoration. “Through regenerative design, cities can create functional, resilient, and healthy ecosystems that benefit both people and the environment.”

Key Findings: 42% More Green-Blue Space

Sweco’s study, which analyzed 22 European cities including Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Stockholm, highlights the immense potential of regenerative design. By implementing these principles, cities could increase their green-blue spaces by an impressive 42%. This aligns with the EU Nature Restoration Law, which mandates member states to restore degraded ecosystems and promote urban biodiversity.

Leading Cities: Who’s Ahead in Regenerative Design?

Cities like Tampere, Bergen, and Oslo already show significant potential to become Europe’s greenest cities. However, others must take additional measures to meet the EU’s goal of achieving 30% green space coverage within urban areas.

Benefits of Regenerative Design and Green-Blue Infrastructure

• Green-blue infrastructure refers to networks of green spaces (e.g., parks, forests, green roofs) and blue spaces (e.g., rivers, lakes, wetlands) that work together to create healthier, more resilient urban environments. By prioritizing this infrastructure and adopting regenerative design, cities can:

  • Boost Biodiversity: Native plants and green corridors provide habitats for wildlife, enabling species movement and resilience.
  • Manage Water Effectively: Permeable surfaces, wetlands, and rainwater harvesting systems prevent flooding and improve water quality.
  • Mitigate Climate Change: Green spaces lower urban temperatures, reduce air pollution, and absorb carbon dioxide.
  • Improve Human Well-Being: Access to nature promotes physical and mental health, while creating inclusive and vibrant public spaces.

Strategies for Implementing Regenerative Design

Sweco’s report outlines clear strategies for urban planners and policymakers to adopt regenerative design:

1. Prioritize Nature-Based Solutions: Implement green-blue infrastructure to support biodiversity and manage water sustainably.
2. Use Native Plants: Boost biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems with native species.
3. Create Green Corridors: Connect parks, rivers, and forests to support species movement and ecological health.
4. Adopt Permeable Surfaces: Use materials and systems that absorb rainwater to prevent urban flooding.
5. Engage Communities: Involve residents in urban planning to foster inclusivity, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
6. Promote Urban Agriculture: Encourage community gardens to enhance food security and reduce emissions from food transport.
7. Establish Closed-Loop Systems: Recycle resources, minimize waste, and generate renewable energy.
8. Build Resilient Infrastructure: Create net-zero, climate-adaptive infrastructure that supports future urban needs.
9. Enable 15-Minute Cities: Promote walkable neighborhoods with sustainable transit options, reducing car dependency.

Case Study: Tampere, a Model of Regenerative Design

Tampere, one of the cities highlighted in Sweco’s report, exemplifies the potential of regenerative design. By integrating green-blue infrastructure into its urban planning, Tampere has not only enhanced biodiversity but also improved flood resilience and air quality. The city’s commitment to native plants, permeable surfaces, and community-driven projects serves as a model for other European cities to follow.

The Role of EU Funding in Regenerative Design

With at least EUR 20 billion allocated annually from the EU budget for biodiversity initiatives between 2021 and 2027, cities have the opportunity to embrace regenerative design and pave the way for a sustainable future. By transforming urban spaces into thriving ecosystems, cities can tackle biodiversity loss, improve climate resilience, and enhance quality of life for their residents.

Moving Towards a Regenerative Future

The transition to regenerative design requires collaboration between governments, urban planners, and communities. By rethinking infrastructure, investing in nature-based solutions, and prioritizing green-blue spaces, European cities can lead the way in creating a regenerative, resilient, and inclusive urban future.

The future of European cities lies in regenerative design. As Sweco’s study shows, the potential to increase green-blue spaces by 42% can no longer be overlooked. By prioritizing nature-based solutions, fostering collaboration, and rethinking urban development, cities can become not just sustainable, but regenerative—actively contributing to a healthier planet for generations to come.

Read more about SDGs in the urban context here.