MDPI Sustainability Foundation’s Post

Our collaboration with UVic’s EcoVisualization Studio gives us the opportunity to work across disciplines, exploring ecologically informed approaches to design. PhD Candidate Shima Tajarloo says it well in her recent blog post. Shima describes the significance of repeatedly walking a site, before design begins and after users have moved into their new space. Careful observation, curiosity and listening to the land, its occupants and the unfolding stories and patterns between them remind us these projects aren’t just buildings, they’re living systems. Shima’s post-occupancy research at Power To Be, and pre-design analysis at Highstreet’s Millstream project offer insight into the questions we’re asking to explore the intersection of ecological restoration and regenerative ecological design. Well said Shima! Check out the article here -->

📢 New publication in EURS 📢 “Urban circularity as a planning challenge: The ‘forgotten’ pillar of circular city agendas?” By Jasmin Baumgartner (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium) While current Circular Economy agendas emphasize economic, ecological, and social transitions, the article  underscores that circular city ambitions cannot be realized without the territorial capacities and regulatory frameworks of spatial planning   🔍 Key contributions: -         Advancing a dual analysis of ‘territorial coherence’. The study examines coherence as a crucial planning outcome from two angles: Vertical coherence between economic transition strategies and spatial plans; Horizontal coherence between strategic and regulatory planning frameworks, highlighting how misalignments hinder sustainability objectives. -         Offering five practice-oriented recommendations for strengthening circular planning. These recommendations target regional planning authorities, public and private landowners, and government officials responsible for embedding sustainability and circularity into spatial development tools. Above all, they call for integrated, cross-sector collaboration as a prerequisite for meaningful CE implementation. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebVNFEjp #CircularEconomy #SpatialPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanGovernance #PlanningTheory #EURSjournal

Introducing our second member of the Anderson Bell + Christie team speaking at this years RIAS Live Fatma Pelin Ekdi Fatma is a carbon balance consultant at Anderson Bell Christie with a PhD in Urban Planning, specialising in sustainable urbanism, place-based net-zero solutions, and nature-based solutions. Together with Jonathan, Fatma is speaking in Session 2 under the talk title of "White Paper: Balance. A policy roadmap to net zero placemaking in Scotland" NPF4 sets a clear vision for Scotland with “net zero, nature-positive places that are designed to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, whilst protecting, recovering and restoring our environment.” While the destination is clear, the detail is lacking. Our White Paper provides roadmaps to achieve this goal across the next 20 years. The White Paper addresses the dual narrative of 1) dramatic carbon reduction in buildings through Circular Construction and 2) nature based solutions to deliver carbon sequestration locally. Taken together carbon balance can be achieved within a place. Doing so will mitigate climate change impacts such as urban heating and flooding, while enhancing biodiversity, air quality and wellbeing. This will bring the benefits of net zero to communities, improving place quality and living standards. RIAS LIVE is talking place in just 11 days time. Don't miss out and book your ticket now. 21 November | 9am-4:30pm | Dynamic Earth. Edinburgh https://lnkd.in/eAFAZh_Q

Introducing the Nature Design Guide! 🌿 A practical, industry-led resource created to help shape a Country-centred approach to nature-based design in the Australian built environment. Collaboratively developed, with a wide range of people from 15 different organisations to bring this together: Nature and Climate, Lendlease, OCULUS, Living Future Institute of Australia, Living Seawalls, Francisii Ecology, Fytogreen Australia Pty Ltd, Curtin University, Curtin Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS), Curtin School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Arcadis, Global GreenTag International, AECOM, Mansfield Advisors, Mott MacDonald, Hollow Log Home. The guide offers actionable nature-based solutions to embed nature within single building and precinct scale projects. 🌱 Collect your free guide on our website: https://lnkd.in/gzddPnJi #NatureDesignGuide #NaturePositiveDesign #RoofGardens #GreenInfrastructure #Fytogreen #UrbanGreening #GreeningOurCities

🏅 “Gainesville Sets the Bar: LEED Gold for Urban Sustainability and Resilience” The City of Gainesville, Florida, has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council — recognizing its commitment to climate resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban design. 🌱 This milestone reflects Gainesville’s investment in green buildings, renewable energy, and public space planning that supports both people and the planet. It’s a strong reminder that sustainability doesn’t stop at buildings — it starts at the city scale. #SustainableCities #GreenBuilding #LEED #UrbanResilience #SmartUrbanism

Expert Talk on Green Building & Climate Innovation! FOA, Dr. M.G.R. University organized an insightful session by Ar. Faiza, Urban Planner, offering M.Arch students valuable perspectives on sustainable climate policy, green market systems, and climate-resilient urban development, empowering future architects to design for a greener tomorrow.

#Get$reenByGoingGreen USGBC-CA’s California Building Performance™ Hub, launching October 28, provides professionals with the tools to benchmark and improve energy, water, carbon, and waste performance. Designed to simplify the complexities of Building Performance Standards (BPS), the Hub supports California’s shift toward high-performance, low-carbon buildings. Learn more in our “Featured” section below. Simultaneously, the Shaping the Future of Water Use at Home Challenge invites architects, engineers, designers, and students worldwide to reimagine residential water use. With $50,000 in prizes and recognition at the California Green Building Conference, your innovative designs could influence the next generation of sustainable living.

📣The first seminar in the sixth CIB President's seminar series with CIB President Dongping Fang will feature our invited speaker Hemanta Doloi, coordinator W107 Construction in Developing Countries and of the University of Melbourne. 📆 11th November 2025 💬 Title - Smart Villages and its Significance in Climate-positive Development Smart Villages research offers a compelling vision for climate-positive development by reframing the role of rural communities in global sustainability. Today, while 60% of the world’s population lives in cities, the remaining 40% are still residing in rural areas. This so-called “Golden Balance” should be preserved rather than erased through urbanisation, using the traditional construction industry practices, which already drive nearly 47% of global carbon emissions. As the vast majority of the rural 40% reside in developing countries, Construction in Developing Countries (CIB Working Commission W107) must grow its capacities to deliver sustainable housing, infrastructure, and community-led development in a climate-positive manner. Hemanta Doloi is currently an Associate Professor in the Construction Management discipline and the Director of the Smart Villages research program at the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning of the University of Melbourne. He is also the founding Chair of the International Conference on Smart Villages and Rural Development (COSVARD), founding Convener of the Global Seminar Series on Smart Villages (GSSV), and the Mission Advocate of the Sustainable Planet Initiative (SPI). Reserve your place now - https://lnkd.in/e2sSUEJt Details of the full programme can be seen here - https://lnkd.in/e-Ffk3h4

A fantasic resource is here ! Introducing the Nature Design Guide — a practical, industry-led resource created to help shape a Country-centred approach to nature-based design in the Australian built environment. Collaboratively developed, the guide offers actionable nature-based solutions to embed nature within single building and precinct scale projects. Download the free guide here: https://lnkd.in/gPcFjzJC #NatureDesignGuide #RegenerativeDesign #DesignWithNature #CountryCentredDesign #BioBasedMaterials #SustainableArchitecture #BiophilicDesign #NaturePositiveDesign #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableConstruction #EngineeredBamboo #MassEngineeredTimber Nature Design Guide Collaboration Group: Nature and Climate, Lendlease, OCULUS, Harrington & Low Consulting, Living Future Institute of Australia, Living Seawalls, Francisii Ecology, Hollow Log Homes, Fytogreen Australia Pty Ltd, Curtin University, Mott MacDonald, Arcadis, Global GreenTag International Pty Ltd, AECOM, Mansfield Advisory Pty Ltd.

Exciting news! The Nature Design Guide is now live, offering practical tools and insights to embed nature-positive outcomes in project design. This guide equips teams to protect and regenerate ecosystems, boost community wellbeing, and enhance climate resilience. It's packed with illustrated best practice case studies, it showcases real-world projects with measurable impact. No more excuses—this guide is your invitation to lead transformative nature-positive projects and deliver best-in-class results. Download the Nature Design Guide and explore resources, including a feature on bio-based materials like Mass Engineered Timber and Engineered Bamboo. Congrats to the Nature Design Guide Collaboration Group: Nature and Climate, Lendlease, OCULUS, Fytogreen Australia Pty Ltd, Harrington & Low Consulting, Living Future Institute of Australia, Living Seawalls, Francisii Ecology, Hollow Log Homes Nest Box Design and Manufacturing, Curtin University, Mott MacDonald, Arcadis, Mansfield Advisory Pty Ltd, Global GreenTag International Pty Ltd, AECOM. A big shout out to Abigail Heywood for her leadership in this collaborative work, you made this happen. #NatureDesignGuide #BioBasedMaterials #NatureBasedSolutions #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableConstruction