Building for the Future

We are currently faced with one of our most imminent planetary threats: the climate crisis. Global temperatures have already risen by more than 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, disrupting the delicate balance of our ecosystems. A major driver of global warming is the way we build. The construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure, including the production and transport of materials, account for nearly 40 per cent of global CO₂ emissions. With an additional 2.2 billion people expected to live in cities by 2050, the need for a systemic rethinking of our construction practices has never been more urgent. This transformation must extend beyond individual buildings to include neighbourhoods and entire cities, which are at the heart of both environmental and socio-economic challenges.

Building for the Future introduces the concept of a regenerative built environment as a forward-looking alternative to current building practices. It seeks not only to mitigate damage, but also to restore and enhance natural ecosystems. For example, it encourages the growth of natural carbon sinks, such as forests and wetlands, to absorb CO₂ more effectively.

One of the key challenges in achieving this transformation is the lack of accessible, concise information on the relation between the built environment and climate change, as well as innovative ideas and solutions to the barriers in shifting our practices. The project aims to bridge this gap by providing essential facts and actionable insights and build a shared understanding of how to achieve a transformation towards a more regenerative future for our cities and infrastructure.

You can find all publications of the Building for the Future project to date in the Resources tab above.

Bauhaus Earth is collaborating with the Toni Piëch Foundation to develop the multi-series Knowledge Product Collection Building for the Future. Developed as a modular system, the collection provides visually appealing and easily digestible information to introduce people to the idea of a regenerative built environment. It gives an overview of key developments, concepts, and possible courses of action. The Toni Piëch Foundation is supporting the production of the first three series.

With Building for the Future, we hope to disseminate knowledge to a broad range of audiences to inspire change in the built environment sector. Our Knowledge Products are interesting and helpful resources to policymakers, urban planners, architects, and environmental advocates. To ensure broad reach and impact, the publication is available in several languages, including English, German, and Chinese.

These Knowledge Products are developed in multiple series:

• Series 1 - “Setting the Frame”
• Series 2 - “Regenerative Buildings”
• Series 3 - “Regenerative Cities and Neighbourhoods”

The first series, "Setting the Frame," focuses on establishing an understanding of the built environment as a major contributor to the climate crisis by presenting critical data, facts, and figures. It also introduces the concept of a regenerative built environment, providing a compelling vision of how construction can shift from being destructive to restorative.

To further understand how this concept can be operationalized and put into practice, subsequent series will examine practical implementation at different scales —from individual buildings to neighbourhoods, cities, and regions. Each series will provide an overview of key developments, concepts, innovative strategies, their challenges and possible courses of action.