© Ashraf Hendricks
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Transitioning towards a regenerative built environment in Cape Town, South Africa: #2
Date
31/5/2024
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0
minutes
In collaboration with the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) and the African Centre for Cities (ACC), we hosted a workshop on 21 May at Bertha House, Mowbray, Cape Town, to advance discussions on transitioning towards a regenerative built environment in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The workshop built on earlier sessions held in March and brought together diverse stakeholders – including government officials, professional bodies, grassroots organizers, and NGOs – to collaborate on a unified agenda for regenerative transformation.
The primary goals of the workshop were to deepen the understanding of the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to regenerative urban practices, identify action points and next steps. Participants explored whether a regenerative transition is necessary, practical, scalable, and cost-effective, as well as whether it can be implemented fairly and gain social acceptance.
Summary of the Agenda
The workshop began by revisiting the concept of regenerative built environments, building on discussions from the previous series of workshops.
This was followed by two keynote presentations:
- Participants were introduced to the “digital avatar” project, a visual and interactive platform designed to explore opportunities and assess the environmental impact of different design decisions.
- The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance shared global lessons, emphasizing systems-based, equity-focused approaches to decarbonization. They highlighted successful initiatives, including land use reforms, updated regulations, circular economy practices, and increased awareness of embodied carbon and bio-based materials.
In smaller groups, participants then discussed barriers and opportunities for transitioning to a regenerative built environment, particularly in Cape Town and the Western Cape.
© Ashraf Hendricks
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© Ashraf Hendricks
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© Ashraf Hendricks
Opportunities and Barriers
The workshop highlighted several opportunities for advancing regenerative practices in Cape Town. Existing policies, such as the City’s Climate Action Plan and the Western Cape’s 110% Green Programme, provide a supportive foundation. Traditional knowledge and vernacular designs already reflect regenerative principles, while informal settlements are emerging as hubs of innovation and adaptability. Collaborative spaces also present opportunities for shared action and joint initiatives.
However, significant barriers remain. Slow and fragmented policy processes hinder progress, scepticism about bio-based materials deters experimentation. Limited funding and skills gaps further constrain the ability to test and implement new approaches. A lack of mainstream examples makes it difficult to build broader acceptance, while government and industry often hesitate to initiate action, each expecting the other to take the lead.
Proposed Actions
To address these challenges, participants emphasized the need to share knowledge and document successful case studies to build credibility and confidence in regenerative approaches to urban development. Incremental policy shifts and advocacy for supportive administrative frameworks were also seen as critical steps. Practical changes, such as embedding regenerative practices into design standards and building regulations, were identified as priorities for immediate action. The workshop reinforced the urgency and feasibility of transitioning to a regenerative built environment in Cape Town. Through shared knowledge, policy advocacy, and incremental reforms, Cape Town has the potential to set a precedent for regenerative urban development.
The learnings from this workshop series will feed into a report, as well as the development of a Changemaker’s Guide. Stay tuned.
Thank you to our partners, the African Centre for Cities and Western Cape Economic Development Partnership, for their invaluable contributions to this endeavour. Together, we remain committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and driving positive change towards a regenerative future.' Special thanks are further extended to all the participants for their contributions and the Toni Piëch Foundation for their funding and support, which allowed to facilitate the engagements in Cape Town between September 2023 and May 2024.
The events were informed by ReBuilt research funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. The Toni Piëch Foundation supports the stakeholder engagement process and the Changemaker's Guide.
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