From Principles to Practice DIGITAL

Introduction Regenerative design and urban development Culture-based climate action Conclusion Innovative practice Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture Revitalizing Lake Texcoco Building climate-resilient housing in Honduras’ Sula Valley53 55 62 70 71 72 78 84Introduction The escalating impacts of climate change – rising sea levels, extreme weather events and prolonged droughts – are not only reshaping our natural landscapes, cities and living places but also the cultural spaces that define our shared heritage. From ancient coastal settlements submerged by rising tides to Indigenous communities dis- placed by desertification, the loss of cultural spaces is a stark reminder of the interconnected crises we face. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi- zation (UNESCO) estimates that one in six cultural heritage sites1 globally are under threat from climate-related haz- ards. These losses are not just physical – they represent a threat to traditions, knowledge systems and identities that have sustained communities for generations. In response, the Davos Baukultur Alliance advocates for a regenerative approach to design and development – one that goes beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems, replenish resources and strengthen com- munity resilience. Culturally based, regenerative design and development, as outlined in this paper, seeks to create net-positive impacts by embedding nature-led strategies, cultivating adaptive urban systems and inte- grating Indigenous and traditional knowledge into the built environment. By rethinking relationships between people and nature, regenerative design offers a frame- work for addressing ecological degradation and cultural loss. It ultimately ensures that urban development not only mitigates harm but actively contributes to the health of the biosphere and the well-being of communities. The Davos Baukultur Alliance, a global network com- mitted to high-quality, sustainable and resilient design, recognizes that addressing these challenges requires more than technical solutions. It demands a holistic approach that integrates ecological restoration, cultural preservation and community agency. By drawing on Indigenous knowledge, traditional practices and innova - tive technologies, it's possible to redefine urban devel- opment as a process of ecological and social renewal. The Alliance calls for a collective effort to embed regen- erative principles and culture-based approaches into global frameworks, policies and governance structures, offering actionable strategies for practitioners. Through these lenses, it provides approaches that highlight the importance of nature-led solutions, public-private col- laboration and the integration of cultural wisdom into climate strategies to drive meaningful change. Overleaf: Image from Revitalizing Lake Texcoco. Iñaki Echeverria