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Our Decisions should Belong to a place
A regenerative project’s success is deeply tied to its ability to harness the unique characteristics, resources, and cultural context of its location. Place-sourced potential refers to the practice of designing initiatives that emerge from the inherent strengths and possibilities of a place rather than imposing external models. By recognizing and integrating the ecological, social, and economic assets of a given area, projects can develop in ways that are both sustainable and deeply connected to local resilience.
This approach encourages businesses and communities to co-create solutions that honor the land’s history, biodiversity, and people. Unlike traditional top-down development strategies, place-sourced potential fosters a symbiotic relationship between a project and its environment, enabling long-term viability. Successful regenerative initiatives leverage place-based knowledge, community participation, and natural ecosystems to create innovative, context-specific solutions that enhance both human and ecological well-being.
By deeply engaging with the nuances of a place, projects can foster more meaningful connections between people and their environment. This leads to the creation of resilient systems that are adaptable to change while maintaining cultural integrity and ecological health. Recognizing the unique capacities and limitations of a place also supports more efficient resource use and reduces dependency on external inputs. Ultimately, the success of a place-based approach depends on a continuous learning process where stakeholders work collaboratively to evolve with the landscape rather than extract from it.
With love
Boutique Team
““A real change might require far more than
just a new mindset. It might also require a new
heart”
PAMELA MANG
MUST READ
Designing from Place
This research paper introduces a regenerative framework and methodology for design, advocating a shift from mechanistic to ecological worldviews in the built environment. The authors propose a three-tiered framework—philosophical assumptions, systemic methods, and specific techniques—to guide regenerative practices. A detailed case study of a 16-year-old regenerative methodology is explored, highlighting key concepts like place, pattern literacy, and co-evolution. The methodology emphasizes understanding a location's unique ecological and cultural context to create harmonious and mutually beneficial relationships between human activities and natural systems, promoting continuous improvement and adaptation. The paper concludes by discussing challenges and opportunities for wider adoption of this regenerative approach.
real-life examples
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Totnes Transition Town
UK
Totnes, a small town in England, became the birthplace of the Transition Towns movement, which aims to create local resilience in response to climate change and economic uncertainty. This grassroots initiative leverages place-based assets such as renewable energy, local food systems, and community-driven enterprises. Through citizen-led planning, the town has implemented projects like the Totnes Pound (a local currency), urban food gardens, and cooperative business models that strengthen local economic circulation while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and global supply chains.
Mondragón Cooperative
SPAIN
Located in the Basque Country, the Mondragón Cooperative is one of the largest and most successful worker-owned cooperative networks in the world. Rooted in place-based economic development, it emerged as a response to post-war economic hardship in the region. Instead of relying on external corporations, the cooperative fosters local enterprise and self-reliance, reinvesting profits into education, worker development, and community infrastructure. Today, Mondragón operates across multiple industries, demonstrating how place-sourced economic models can generate long-term resilience, equitable wealth distribution, and sustainable employment opportunities.
fundamental questions
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What are the unique ecological, social, and cultural strengths of this place?
What historical patterns and traditional knowledge can inform the design of my initiative?
What collaborative relationships can be established to leverage place-based potential?
How can my project integrate with and enhance the existing landscape and community structures?
How does my project contribute to local resilience and economic sovereignty?
Deliverable: Tell us about the story of the place of your organization
"The proximate whole, a living system in close relationship to the project. Proximate whole is another name for what we call the project’s “place.” The proximate whole is defined as the immediate sphere of influence on the project. This influence, current and future, is clearly identifiable. The project’s influence on the proximate whole is equally identifiable"
BENNE, B., & MANG, P. (2015)
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assignments
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Online Clarification Session
10th April
6 - 7 PM (Lisbon Time)
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