More cities are incorporating biophilic design approaches for several reasons. While some firms genuinely practice regenerative and sustainable design methods, others could be placed into the category of "greenwashing" to satisfy trends and bolster their firm's PR efforts. However, according to architect and regenerative design strategist Amanda Sturgeon, the goal is to have buildings "that are intimately connected to the living systems that have evolved with us, that celebrate the human-nature connection that is central to our wellbeing."

In her recent article for The Guardian, Sturgeon makes a case for rewilding cities. She explains, "rewilding is about adding nature everywhere, not just in parks, by using nature-based solutions or green infrastructure at the edges of our streets, in leftover spaces, and on and within our buildings." 

This past year alone, there have been projects proposed to "incorporate" trees and plant life with the building's infrastructure. However, if there's anything we've learned from projects like Amazon's HQ2 "the Helix," it could be assumed the intentions behind a tree-lined spiral exterior are a bit of a reach. However, Sturgeon uses examples like Jean Nouvel's One Central Park to reference successful regenerative design applications. 

In 2019, I spoke with Habitat Horticulture's founding principal and lead designer, David Brenner. An expert in blending horticulture/botany, interiors, architecture to create "living walls," I asked him how architects could do a better job designing spaces while incorporating plant life? "Living walls are often considered as an afterthought or a static accessory in architectural design," he shared. "Having said that, the tide seems to be shifting with proactive urban greening policies [...] Existing architectural designs might not take into account important specifications like wall depth, trench drains, catch basins, maintenance access, lighting, and electrical needs. Outside of the technical, spaces that design intentionally around a living wall feel fundamentally different than those that don't."

Projects and new developments will continue to emerge. Sturgeon expresses in her article the need for viewing developments as "spaces for nature." It's through this perspective she pushes for the consideration of transforming spaces for "human use rather than ones where we design for human use and add a token amount of green to them." Her statement reminds me of the experimental housing project in China that became infested with mosquitos due to a lack of tenants and their desire to satisfy biophilic design trends for the city.

While she primarily references Australia and the country's regenerative design efforts in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Sturgeon stresses the importance of strengthening society's relationship to nature. "We are typically shortsighted and unable to see the benefits that nature provides us in the long-term. Too often, we do not conduct an economic benefit analysis of the increased property values, reduction of pollutants in waterways, and cleaner air that results from these measures."