(Image: Tower Beach photographed by Lavan Thaya)
Regenerative Practices to Reimagine Climate Justice
Authors: Bridget Bi, Katie McPartlin, Hoi Ying Ng
Welcome to Regenerative Practices to Reimagine Climate Justice, where we delve into the world of regenerative materials and their profound impact on our environment, communities, and professions. Today, we embark on a reinterpretation journey, unravelling the concept of regenerative materials and their pivotal role in fostering sustainable relationships.
Our exploration will be enriched by the insights of three distinguished guests, each offering a unique perspective on regenerative practices. From Jordan Mackenzie’s research on bioplastic production to Jennifer Cutbill’s application of regenerative frameworks in architectural practices, and finally Atlanta Grant and Cedar’s profound insights into food cycling practices within the Kitasoo Xai’xais nation. Our invited speakers will enlighten us on the varied forms and scales of material stewardship.
Together, we hope to endeavor meaningful conversations and actionable insights that propel us toward a more regenerative and equitable future. Join us as we explore the boundless possibilities of regenerative materials and their transformative potential.
Featured Guest Speakers:
Jordan Mackenzie: Cofounder and CEO of the Bioform core technology. The bioform technology was developed during his time as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate at UBC’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Jennifer Cutbill: Registered architect and regenerative practitioner. She is the founding principle of Lateral Agency. Jennifer also co-founded and directed Vancouver Design Week and is the Regional Director of the RAIC. Outside professional practice, Jennifer is also an adjunct professor at UBC.
Atlanta-Marinna Grant and Cedar: Atlanta is an Iroquois scholar with Huron-Wendat and German ancestry. Her decolonized research focuses on Indigenous Food Systems, Food Sovereignty, and Cross-Cultural Collaboration.
Cedar from the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation is a “community residing within the Great Bear Rainforest. The planning projects the nations work on include Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy and the management plan for the Marine Protected Area.
Podcast Episode:
Resources
Guest Speakers:
Jordan MacKenzie:
Bioform Technologies. “Our Technology: Harnessing the Power of Nature.” Bioform Technologies, 2023, bioform.tech/bioform-technologies.
Jennifer CutBill:
Lateral Agency. “Lateral Agency │what We Do.” Lateral Agency, 2019, www.lateralagency.ca/about.
Cutbill, Jennifer. “Towards an Indigenous-Centric Cumulative Effects Framework.” UBC Sustainability Scholar, 2022. https://sustain.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2022-050_Towards%20an%20Indigenous-Centric%20Cumulative%20Effects_Cutbill.pdf
Atlanta Grant and Cedar:
Grant, Atlanta. “Food waste to food ‘cycling’: the reinstatement of natural law for the “future taste of our homelands.” University of British Columbia, June 19, 2023. https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0431382
Grant, Atlanta, episode host. “Atlanta Grant on Indigenous Food Sovereignty.” Plant-Based Canada Podcast, episode 46, Buzzsprouts, Jan 3, 2023, https://www.buzzsprout.com/1675711/11965121-episode-46-atlanta-grant-on-indigenous-food-sovereignty
“Resource Stewardship.” Klemtu.Com – Kitasoo Xai’Xais Nation, March 14, 2024, klemtu.com/stewardship/
Episode Content:
01:00:05 Methane Pollution and Landfills
Bruggers, James, et al. “Your Trash Is Emitting Methane in the Landfill. Here’s Why It Matters for the Climate.” NPR, NPR, 13 July 2021, www.npr.org/2021/07/13/1012218119/epa-struggles-to-track-methane-from-landfills-heres-why-it-matters-for-the-clima.
10:00:06 Book Reference to Material Stewardship
McDonough, William, and Michael Braungart. Cradle to cradle: Remaking the way we make things. North Point Press, 2010.
11:33:21 Memphis Project
“Memphis Uptown Community Plan.” Torti Gallas + Partners I Architects of a Better World., tortigallas.com/portfolio/memphis-uptown-community-plan
Sisson, Patrick. “Abandoned Art Deco Warehouse Becomes Vibrant Vertical Village in Memphis.” Curbed, Curbed, 15 Sept. 2017, archive.curbed.com/2017/9/15/16311604/crosstown-concourse-memphis-redevelopment
Additional Resources:
Eva, G., and M. Chris. “Cleantech Playground” a cleantech utility in Amsterdam North.”, 2013.
Pistoni, Roberta, and Sophie Bonin. “Urban metabolism planning and designing approaches between quantitative analysis and urban landscape.” City, Territory and Architecture 4, 2017.
Smithwick, Erica AH, et al. “Regenerative landscape design: an integrative framework to enhance sustainability planning.” Ecology and Society 28.4, 2023.
Lokman, Kees. “Utilizing an Expanded Framework of Urban Metabolism to Envision Future Energy Landscapes”, Landscape Architecture, no. 11, 2016, pp. 54-71.