Regenerative Approach

 
 
 
 

Overview

Regenerative development works to reverse the degeneration of the Earth's natural systems and to design human structures and systems that can co-evolve with natural systems, generating mutual benefits and greater overall expression of life and resilience. As a practice, regenerative development is based on the premise that we cannot make the outer transformations required to create a truly sustainable world without making inner transformations in how we think, how we work, and who we are. The approach is taught by and builds upon the philosophy of the design firm Regenesis Group.

The approach provides the ability to:

  • Ground projects in the essence of place

  • Realize greater potential based on this essence

  • Build capacity and capability in stakeholder systems

  • Bring greater health, vitality and viability to a project/place

  • Generate will and buy-in from diverse stakeholders

  • Increase capacity to manage complexity as a means to deliver greater value to clients and stakeholders

Four sources of an activity that must be identified and brought into alignment in order to evolve new value

For more information about the approach, visit Regenesis Institute and Regenesis Group sites.

 
 
 
 

How Its Been Applied

Nanpurak - The Shiwiar Community of Juyuintza

I have been continuing to support a Shiwiar community in the Ecuadorian Amazon after developing a close relationship with them over the years. The community is facing disruption from potential exploitation, community disruption and natural disasters. The work has been aiming to develop a vision for their community and help actualize their visions and potential projects into existence.

In the past, the community has been reactive to issues that have arose (ie. threat of oil exploitation, natural disasters). Therefore, the levels of work framework has been used to elevate our thinking. We are now asking how we can regenerate the more life affirming way of living that the Shiwiar have so it fuels other life on the Earth - not only physically as the lungs of the planet but also spiritually inspiring the outside world to live more meaningfully.

We want to utilize this heightened degree of thinking as we consider potential projects but, at the same time, we can’t forget about the elements that support the community in the existence level as well. For a simple example, if the community cannot maintain their territory and food sources, they won’t be able to achieve their higher goals.

Levels of Work Framework

A key part of this work has been trying to understand the potential and essence of the place. One method is looking at potential from the inside out and outside in. This goes a long way in determining which projects and work brings vitality and viability. From an external perspective, there is significant potential based on the location of the Shiwiar Nation. Located in a remote region near the Peru-Ecuador border in the Amazon, the area has not been disturbed by western development and still retains significant biodiversity. In addition, the region is situated near the border where the Andes meets the Amazon. Therefore, the water that flows through their territory passes on to the rest of the Amazon eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean which is why it is considered the Sacred Headwaters.

Developing questions for the leaders and the community in general has helped uncover a better understanding of the place from an internal perspective. For example, the community was asked - what do you love about living here, what are important elements of your lifestyle, etc. This has allowed us to highlight and hone in on what is most important to the community to understand its potential.

The work has been delayed due to COVID but it has led us to uncover more potential such as better understanding what motivates community members and synching that motivation with potential interests from outside partners. In addition, it has allowed the community and Shiwiar Nation to start taking a proactive approach towards how they want to move ahead in the future based on their potential and the uniqueness of the place.

Hawaii Department of Education - Emergency Operations Planning

While at MKThink, we were tasked with developing an Emergency Operations Plan and 15 Continuity of Operations Plans for the Hawaii Department of Education (250+ public schools). This work required engaging various stakeholders including personnel at the state, regional and local level. Although extremely important, this type of planning work can be tedious. By connecting various personnel to the plan’s core mission - to make students and staff as safe as possible, we transformed what could have been a dull process into a meaningful and engaging one. Before each interaction and when personnel were losing motivation, I reconnected stakeholders back to this mission to regain their motivation and will. This promoted personnel to act from a place of caring & kindness - encouraging their best work.

 
 
 
 

Learn More

View more about the approach below.