The term “salutogenesis” describes an approach focusing on factors that support human health and wellbeing, rather than on “pathogenesis,” i.e., factors that cause disease. Rather than a simple ‘healthy or sick’ dichotomy, health is a dynamic continuum influenced by both stressors and salutogenic factors. By fostering a sense of coherence and meaning, individuals can strengthen their resilience to stressors. Salutogenic strategies focus on bolstering these positive influences for optimal well-being.
While exposure to nature can mitigate harmful environmental factors, its true potential lies in restoring and building our capacity for health and well-being. Salutogenic pathways, encompassing restoration emphasize the environment’s crucial role in facilitating experiences and behaviors that promote optimal health. This approach underscores the importance of considering human psycho-physiological needs in the design and management of green spaces.

EVOLUTION IN ACTION: REGENERATIVE DESIGN AS A FORCE FOR LIFE

Regenerative design, relates to holistic approaches that support the co-evolution of human and natural systems in a partnered relationship and transcends traditional notions of sustainability. It views the act of building as an opportunity to actively enhance the well-being of humans, other species, and the entire ecosystem. By engaging all stakeholders and considering the unique context of a place, regenerative development fosters a continuous and healthy relationship between humans and their environment.
The ‘business as usual’ approach is no longer viable. To heal our planet and communities, we must move beyond mere sustainability. Restoration is essential to address past damage, but ultimately, we need to create regenerative systems that can maintain health and evolve in the face of future challenges.
Salutogenic design recognizes the interconnectedness of human and planetary health. It calls for a multi-scale approach that considers the impact of design decisions on everything from individual well-being to the health of entire bioregions. By integrating principles of green chemistry, architecture, urban planning, and more, salutogenic design practitioners can create environments that truly support life at all levels.
Salutogenic design aims to regenerate health, vitality, transformative resilience and adaptability at personal and collective levels. It takes a glocal (global and local) approach that pays attention to facilitating health across scales. Place is always a fractal with local, regional and global significance in affecting systemic health.
The golden rule of biomimicry (by emulating nature’s strategies, biomimicry/biomimetics seeks to create solutions that are inherently sustainable and in harmony with the natural world): “Life creates conditions conducive to life”.
Bioregionally integrated cities will make an essential contribution to systemic health. A Salutogenic City serves its inhabitants by improving their health and as a process of bioregional regeneration contributes to planetary health. We no longer have the luxury of just being less bad.
Education geared towards regenerative sustainability necessitates a shift towards conscious learning and active community participation. This approach acknowledges the evolving nature of our environment and emphasizes the critical need for ‘integrative awareness’ to ensure planetary survival. Furthermore, every project, regardless of its scale, bears the responsibility to educate and inspire future generations, driving innovation and progress towards a sustainable future. This educational focus aims to fill the current gaps in sustainability and ecological understanding across all levels of education and business.
While the circular economy model focuses on maximizing product lifecycles and minimizing waste, a regenerative system goes further, aiming for the continuous renewal and revitalization of life itself. It’s about fostering relationships and enabling the co-evolution of social, economic, and ecological systems.
Regenerative economics operates by replenishing and enhancing our ‘capital assets’ — the resources and systems that provide for our well-being. This model recognizes the planet as a fundamental capital asset and prioritizes its health and the services it provides. A regenerative economy ensures a consistent supply of resources and generates positive outcomes without depleting essential inputs or harming the broader social and environmental systems on which it depends. It’s an economy built on human and societal vitality, with its roots firmly planted in ecological health and the equitable development of human potential.

MULTIPLE BENEFITS WITH EDIBLE FOREST GARDENS IN URBAN GREEN SPACES

Rapid urbanization and escalating ecological challenges necessitate innovative strategies for urban green spaces. Research highlights a strong correlation between access to green spaces and improved physical and mental health, stress reduction, and even decreased mortality rates. This positive impact is often attributed to biophilia, our inherent connection to nature, which biophilic design strives to integrate into the built environment.
Edible forest gardens present a promising solution, offering not only sustainable food production and increased biodiversity but also fostering social cohesion and psychological restoration. Transitioning from conventional lawns to these multi-functional green spaces can contribute to the creation of healthier, more resilient, and environmentally sustainable cities, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
The integration of edible forest gardens in urban planning signifies a shift from mere beautification to a strategic “green densification” approach. This approach aims to maximize the benefits of green spaces for both human well-being and ecological health, creating a more holistic and sustainable urban environment.
Under the concept of the Continuous Productive Urban Landscape (CPUL), its suggested cities to have continuous productive stretches with room for green areas, mobility without vehicles, and urban agriculture.
Edible forest gardens could be integrated in the ordinary maintenance of outdoor-areas performed by public (e.g., municipalities) or private (e.g., housing companies) actors. They demand less labor, resources, and land area than annual cropped gardens and could therefore also be less expensive. Edible forest garden could thus be an alternative for municipalities with constrained budgets. Stockholm for instance is a segregated city and since the municipality owns 70% of the land forest gardens could contribute to urban sustainability in underprivileged districts by urban agriculture in the forms of edible forest gardens and community gardens.

THE QUALITIES OF EDIBLE FOREST GARDENS MAY SUPPORT RESTORATIVE PROCESSES

The potential of a forest garden environment to support the rehabilitation process of individuals with stress-related mental disorders is investigated. Participants described how the “natural appearance” of the forest garden environment appealed to them and was perceived as “calming and safe.” Participants described how they felt that “nature was strongly present” in the forest garden, that “they could think without effort” and find a “way back to peace and quiet”. Other participants in this study mentioned the restfulness of the “overgrown and wild-like nature.” The forest garden environment was described as embedded in “lush vegetation” and participants mentioned how the wild attributes of the forest garden provided opportunities for “undemanding and restful” experiences. Some individuals mentioned regaining a feeling of “natural origin” and a strong “belonging to a greater whole”. Participants shared how they, in the forest garden environment, could “closely interact with nature” and “dared to expose their deepest feelings and thoughts.” The “smell of grass,” “the taste of berries,” the “sounds of the wind” and “bird twitter and songs” were other experiences mentioned. In the winter participants reported seeing tracks from animals in the snow, giving an indication that restorative processes may be supported during all seasons. The forest garden environment also allowed participants to “hide and find a nice, sheltered place” and “move around without being heard or seen.” Some participants “walked slowly or strolled around” in the forest garden, while others “just sat somewhere and enjoyed the surroundings”.
Environments with a “natural and wild appearance,” “diverse vegetation,” and a “balance between enclosed, dense growth and open views” were found to be generally preferred. The dense growth should have “the appearance of a den and offer experiences of privacy”. These are all descriptions that would suit the typical, mature forest garden well.

NURTURING NATURE, NURTURING OURSELVES: FROM GREEN SPACES TO HEALING SPACES

Community gardening can significantly enhance social capital, foster learning, and instill a stronger sense of place. The act of gardening itself promotes physical health for those involved, while the gardens themselves can become attractive destinations, encouraging more people to enjoy outdoor spaces.
Various types of urban gardens, especially those designed with community participation in mind – such as edible forest gardens or allotment gardens – can contribute to social cohesion and a deeper connection to the local environment.
Moreover, forest gardens offer valuable habitats for a diverse range of species, including birds, insects, and other animals, further enriching the ecological value of urban areas. Often, these gardens incorporate features like “insect hotels,” which provide shelter for beneficial insects and support essential pollination processes.

A little less conversation, a little more…action(s) please. 5 actions to take:

*Convert underutilized urban spaces, such as vacant lots or neglected parks, into edible forest gardens.
*Prioritize Salutogenic Design in Urban Planning. Incorporate principles of salutogenesis into urban planning and design guidelines, prioritizing the creation of spaces that promote health, well-being, and a sense of connection to nature.
*Develop educational programs and initiatives that teach individuals and communities about regenerative design, salutogenesis, and the importance of sustainable living.
* Encourage community involvement in the design, creation, and maintenance of urban green spaces, particularly edible forest gardens.
* Support and advocate for policies and practices that promote a regenerative economy, focusing on restoring and enhancing natural and social capital.
Overall, a multiscale salutogenic design not only allows for a wider reach to more user types, but also improves population health, which makes for a healthier and happier society. Part of our sustainability responsibility must be to inspire the next generation to become better than us and to reach higher than we have.

AUTHORS:

FEDERICO WEINHOLD

COO OF BALGREEN. SPECIALIST RESEARCHER

DIEGO BALVERDE

ECONOMIST

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK