Shaping Regenerative Futures – The critical role of Strategic Systems Science for scaling Sustainable Buildings and enabling Regenerative Environments

In this talk Dr. Martin Röck explores the critical role of strategic systems science for enabling the safe and just transition towards scaling sustainable buildings and creating regenerative environments. To provide background, Martin will introduce his prior contributions to the fields of architecture, civil and environmental engineering, focusing on methodological advancement and practical application of life cycle sustainability assessment methods, international experience in high impact research at the science-to-policy interface, as well as key insights from research, teaching, and outreach activities supporting the transformation towards regenerative spatial systems and resilient communities.
Martin Röck will present his vision for the new Schindler Chair in the field of Sustainable Buildings and Regenerative Environments based on his key areas of research, rooted in the understanding that rapid and deep decarbonization requires a transformation of sociotechnical regimes and the built environment system at large: He will highlight the importance and practice of ‘scaling up’ research and positioning it at the science-policy interface. As well as share insights on advancing efforts for ‘scaling wide’ through capacity building and practical implementation of life cycle-based sustainability assessment methods, helping to make sustainable buildings the new normal. As a crucial element specifically relevant in context of university research and teaching, Martin will propose ways to increase ‘scaling deep’, research activities with small networks and niche actors driving radical innovation within and beyond the built environment that have the potential to influence conventions and shape new cultures. Finally, Martin will elaborate on the role of connecting these areas with a crucial fabric of cross-cutting research related to metrics, methods, and models for life cycle-based sustainable building science and on the development of integrated approaches connecting ecological, social, and economic dynamics of the built environment to support Earth System Governance.