Can we redefine value in the built environment?

We live in a time of profound change. While current political and economic shifts may seem daunting, they also present an opportunity that we must seize. As social, economic, and environmental pressures intensify, conventional systems and structures are proving inadequate, and the built environment is at a turning point. Incremental improvements are no longer enough. Transformational change is needed to align construction and real estate with regenerative principles, but this can only succeed if building owners (who define value in different ways) are convinced, and if the right policy and economic frameworks are in place to support the transition.
Despite growing awareness of regenerative practices, large-scale implementation remains limited. This seminar explores the barriers preventing systemic change and how shifting financial incentives, rethinking material flows, and aligning industry and policy can accelerate the transition toward a regenerative built environment. It examines the challenges and opportunities for different stakeholders and presents strategies – such as circular material use, adaptive land-use planning, and integrated carbon valuation – as new parameters for defining value. By bridging academia, industry, and policy, I aim to contribute to a broader shift in decision-making that reflects the complexity and interdependencies of the built environment.