How did it better achieve its goal?
(Analysis using the transition design framework)
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Visions for Transition

While filming case studies on organic and biodynamic family farming, Erlich was inspired by the strong, happy communities. They lived with agency, right alongside where their organic food was grown (TED, 2017). This is the social atmosphere that the villages strive to create. As said in his Ted talk “The heart of regen villages is biomimicry”. modelling what mother earth does well, and layering a light layer of software on top of that. This gives designers a clear vision to work towards - and they can critique their designs by looking back at nature.



Theories of change
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Regen villages understand the theory that to prevent civilization from collapse, real systematic change is needed, and not just within cities - humanity has to spread out from megacities. The design process for ReGen has integrated extensive scientific expertise; learning widely from University research in resilience and regenerative systems, and bringing together the worlds’ best technology partners (IBM, Philips, Ikea, Schneider Electric, and many others) (TED, 2017). The outstanding feature of Regen is that the system itself is self-iterative and self-evolving. It will use AI and embedded sensors  in its village OS software to collect real-time data so it can adapt its resource systems dynamically and improve neighbourhoods in similar climate zones (Ehrlich et al., 2018).



Posture and mindset

Built on an open-source ideology, the team has recognised its need to collaborate with regional and local stakeholders at every level,  to ensure smooth implementation. It has also been developed to be inclusive of families of different wealth classes, and open the experience towards the world. They are also acting with urgency to develop these villages and spread them across various countries in the globe.
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New ways of designing
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By Erlich’s words, “We more grow a neighbourhood than build one”, starting under the ground and building up. Similarly, they take this approach towards growing the ReGen Villages network. ReGen villages understand that change will occur over time. They have a  clear view of how they will grow - their current status, near and future milestones. After seeding its first village in the Netherlands, ReGen plans to spread 77,000 homes across the world within the next 10 years, setting up a strong foundation for widespread sustainable living.
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