Regenerative land use is gaining momentum, but scaling remains difficult. Not because data is missing — but because design decisions are rarely documented in a structured way.

In many projects it remains unclear:

• why water structures are placed in specific locations

• how terrain orientation shapes microclimates

• which alternative design strategies were considered

• how spatial patterns influenced the final layout.

As a result:

• design knowledge stays locked in individual practitioners

• projects are difficult to evaluate or compare

• valuable lessons are rarely transferred between landscapes.

RegenGIS investigates how GIS can help make these design processes explicit and reproducible.

RegenGIS explores a simple idea:

GIS can function as a design language.

Spatial analysis makes it possible to understand patterns within landscapes before interventions are implemented.

These analyses can reveal:

• water accumulation and hydrological structure

• terrain slopes and orientation

• solar exposure and shade patterns

• microclimatic gradients

• spatial constraints and opportunities.

When these patterns are visualised and documented, design decisions become easier to discuss, compare and transfer between projects.

At the heart of RegenGIS lies a simple principle.

• The analysis computes

• The designer decides

• The method connects

RegenGIS does not aim to automate design decisions.

Instead, it explores how spatial analysis can support designers in developing transparent reasoning about landscapes.

The goal is not automation.

The goal is clarity of thought.

RegenGIS is developed for people working with regenerative landscapes, including:

• agroforestry and food forest designers

• regenerative farmers

• landscape architects

• ecological consultants

• NGOs and community initiatives

• researchers and policymakers.

These professionals increasingly need to explain and justify spatial design decisions.

RegenGIS aims to support that process.

RegenGIS is currently developing a set of tools and resources that support spatial reasoning in regenerative design.

These include:

• a QGIS plugin for landscape analysis

• structured GIS workflows for regenerative design

• online learning materials

• reusable GIS templates

• a community of practitioners exploring spatial design thinking.

If you are interested in these developments, you can follow the project or join the early community.