158
10.7 Conclusion Statement
This chapter started with reconfirming that the consideration of – The Whole [1] – is an important
factor in the theories explored in this book, and the proposed Regenerative-Adaptive Pattern Language
summarises ‘wholeness’ as fundamental to the ecological design and planning of built environments,
which include the consideration of connections to natural systems. Based on Alexander’s (2001–
2005a, 2005b, 2005c, 2005d) hypothesis of wholeness, the development of the Regenerative-Adaptive
Pattern Language evolved from the principles of the generative process, whereby there is always a
sequence, an order, and a morphogenetic process that drives the organic unfolding of a place. Linking
to natural systems, this hypothesis of wholeness is also evident in the work of Mang and Reed (2012),
which encapsulates regenerative development and supports a new living systems, ecological worldview.
Exploring the fundamentals of adaptation, the force of change is identified as the factor that induces
adaptive actions in the paradigms of regeneration, patterns, morphogenesis, generative process, and in
the natural environment through evolution. Adaptation is linked to the change of a place, noticeable in
its patterns. The fundamental principles of the Regenerative- Adaptive Pattern Language are represented in the ‘notion of regenerative-adaptive patterns’ equation, and the Regenerative-Adaptive
Design Model is used to apply the theory into practice. The collective narrative of the regenerativeadaptive pattern language and the application of the regenerative-adaptive design model makes up the
transformations of wholeness.
Therefore:
To understand the regenerative process of a whole system that is part of The Whole [1] is to
understand the patterns and the generation of the system in the first place. Patterns provide a placebased understanding of the integrated human and ecological systems, which can only be appreciated
by exploring the nature of generation processes and their relationship to patterns and pattern languages. It is thus important to apply the stipulations of generative processes from both human and
ecological systems to the practice of regenerative design as part of the sustainable development
discourse.
10.8 Fundamental Pattern 10
Notion Of Regenerative-Adaptive Patterns [10]
In Nature there is no singular or climax state; to the contrary, it is always dynamic, with patterns of generative processes occurring and re-occurring in response to change forces. The
regenerative process of the whole system occurs at different levels of scale, and can be either
lateral-horizontal (increasing connection richness) or vertical/developmental (increasing complexity order). This pattern requires us to deal with these complexities specific to place and
equips us to deal with regeneration and adaptation to significant change (Fig. 10.6).
Downward links:
Use this pattern Notion Of Regenerative- Adaptive Patterns [10] to link all levels in the pattern language
to a specific place – from the higher-level overarching fundamental patterns, down to the core patterns specific to
a place. Always include all the attributes of the Regenerative-Adaptive Design Model. This will assist in dealing
with forces of change, and through the application of an evolutionary process – Evolutionary Adaptation
[11] – the outcomes will be dynamic in nature, resilient and part of the larger whole – The Whole [1] – …
10 A Regenerative-Adaptive Pattern Language
10.7 Conclusion Statement
This chapter started with reconfirming that the consideration of – The Whole [1] – is an important
factor in the theories explored in this book, and the proposed Regenerative-Adaptive Pattern Language
summarises ‘wholeness’ as fundamental to the ecological design and planning of built environments,
which include the consideration of connections to natural systems. Based on Alexander’s (2001–
2005a, 2005b, 2005c, 2005d) hypothesis of wholeness, the development of the Regenerative-Adaptive
Pattern Language evolved from the principles of the generative process, whereby there is always a
sequence, an order, and a morphogenetic process that drives the organic unfolding of a place. Linking
to natural systems, this hypothesis of wholeness is also evident in the work of Mang and Reed (2012),
which encapsulates regenerative development and supports a new living systems, ecological worldview.
Exploring the fundamentals of adaptation, the force of change is identified as the factor that induces
adaptive actions in the paradigms of regeneration, patterns, morphogenesis, generative process, and in
the natural environment through evolution. Adaptation is linked to the change of a place, noticeable in
its patterns. The fundamental principles of the Regenerative- Adaptive Pattern Language are represented in the ‘notion of regenerative-adaptive patterns’ equation, and the Regenerative-Adaptive
Design Model is used to apply the theory into practice. The collective narrative of the regenerativeadaptive pattern language and the application of the regenerative-adaptive design model makes up the
transformations of wholeness.
Therefore:
To understand the regenerative process of a whole system that is part of The Whole [1] is to
understand the patterns and the generation of the system in the first place. Patterns provide a placebased understanding of the integrated human and ecological systems, which can only be appreciated
by exploring the nature of generation processes and their relationship to patterns and pattern languages. It is thus important to apply the stipulations of generative processes from both human and
ecological systems to the practice of regenerative design as part of the sustainable development
discourse.
10.8 Fundamental Pattern 10
Notion Of Regenerative-Adaptive Patterns [10]
In Nature there is no singular or climax state; to the contrary, it is always dynamic, with patterns of generative processes occurring and re-occurring in response to change forces. The
regenerative process of the whole system occurs at different levels of scale, and can be either
lateral-horizontal (increasing connection richness) or vertical/developmental (increasing complexity order). This pattern requires us to deal with these complexities specific to place and
equips us to deal with regeneration and adaptation to significant change (Fig. 10.6).
Downward links:
Use this pattern Notion Of Regenerative- Adaptive Patterns [10] to link all levels in the pattern language
to a specific place – from the higher-level overarching fundamental patterns, down to the core patterns specific to
a place. Always include all the attributes of the Regenerative-Adaptive Design Model. This will assist in dealing
with forces of change, and through the application of an evolutionary process – Evolutionary Adaptation
[11] – the outcomes will be dynamic in nature, resilient and part of the larger whole – The Whole [1] – …
10 A Regenerative-Adaptive Pattern Language