How will you start your regenerative journey? A complex question maybe, but this is exactly what we asked 35 Norwegian clients at the end of November 2024. Standing on the brink of a potentially irreversible tipping point in the climate and biodiversity crisis, it is clear that players in the built environment need to unite and rethink the current approach. Mitigating negative impacts is no longer enough—we must aim to create positive and lasting change. This means adopting a bold and ambitious, systemic approach across the built environment, shifting from carbon neutrality to carbon negativity, and from nature restoration to nature positivity.
Regenerative thinking is gaining traction as a transformative concept in response to the challenges of climate change and ecological degradation. Sectors such as urban planning, architecture, and construction are starting to aspire to apply the approaches to their projects. Our clients in Norway are also starting this journey, offering an ideal opportunity to join forces and inspire collective action and spark collaboration.
Regenerative thinking offers a framework to reimagine our impact and responsibilities, emphasising the need to nurture the Earth’s wellbeing, including its ecological and social systems. Regenerative thinking differs from sustainability, aiming to actively restore and enhance ecosystems, communities, and economies rather than maintaining existing systems and doing less harm. It encourages a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of society and the environment, recognising that the health of one directly influences the other. For instance, implementing nature-based solutions for stormwater management does not just address the challenge of excess water after storms; it also strengthens ecological systems, enhances water cycles, and improves social wellbeing for all stakeholders. Our global experts joined forces with our team in Norway to share regenerative insights in the Norwegian context.
The event in Oslo started with Dr. Shira de Bourbon Parme, the Urban Wellbeing and Innovation Lead in Ramboll’s Regenerative Cities Team based in London, introducing ‘The why and how of regenerative thinking’, where she presented the key principles of regenerative thinking, the urgency to apply this new paradigm, and ways to work with it.
During her presentation, Dr. Shira de Bourbon Parme introduced Ramboll’s three dimensions.
Three dimensions for regenerative thinking:
To bring the concept of regeneration to life, topic experts from Ramboll focused on three areas particularly relevant for Oslo: cities, water, and infrastructure.
1. How cities can become a driver of change The role of data and deep insights is crucial as cities prepare for a new and more challenging future. Signe Kongebro, partner and Global Design Director of Urbanism at Henning Larsen, explained the importance of the early phases in urban development and how solid business cases will become a driver for possible regenerative action in cities.
2. Reuniting with water and nature How can we regenerate our natural water bodies and ensure the resilience of cities by designing with nature? Neil Hugh Mclean Goring, Landscape Architect and Climate adaptation expert at Ramboll, focused on the importance of water and how Oslo Fjord can play a role in the future of Oslo, even during a time of concern about rising sea levels and an increased risk of severe storm surges.
3. Rethinking infrastructure and mobility A regenerative approach to life, mobility, and infrastructure will revolutionise the interactions and relationship between transportation, community, and the environment. Elina Kalliala, Global Sustainability Director for Ramboll Transport, explained how it not only requires new ways of defining design process but also new co-creative approaches and mindsets. Katri Einola, Regenerative Approach Lead in Ramboll Transport, shared cases that implement and test new ways of thinking and acting.
Throughout the event, the Ramboll experts from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK used their inspiring real-life projects to get the discussions started, and Norwegian clients from Hav Ejendomme, Statens Vegveisen, and Nye Veier eagerly joined the discussions to examine how we together can go beyond sustainability. The event ended with a creative and collaborative session where all the attendees worked together to define possible steps to start a regenerative journey in Oslo and Norway.
We’ve only just begun….
The event demonstrated that a regenerative approach to life, mobility, and infrastructure will revolutionise urban life. We just need to get started.
“We must design cities for what is not immediately visible. We must use data and insights – at an early stage – to highlight other types of value for those who build and show that it is profitable. Then it is actually possible to build a new neighbourhood, while improving the quality of nature and increasing biodiversity,”
Tom Hedalen, Project Manager from Norwegian Public Roads Administration added: "Part of our challenge is how long it takes to plan, carry out, and deliver on major road projects. Meaning what we plan today may take ten years to see the benefits of regenerative thinking come into full bloom. But we like to be challenged.”
Although we have a long way to go to achieve a true regenerative impact, we must move forward together, at all levels and from all angles. The great news is that our industry already possesses the knowledge and solutions to support a regenerative approach, but we must discover innovative ways to apply them in our projects.
Want to know more?
Dan Bjerg Hansen
Director, Liveability & Urban Initiatives
+45 51 61 28 83
Deborah Spillane
Global MarComm Lead
+45 53 67 10 43