Announcements June 5, 2025

New Release—The Resource Circularity Report: Reimagining Cities as Regenerative Ecosystems

We are excited to announce Resource Circularity: Reimagining Cities as Regenerative Ecosystems—a new report that assesses the feasibility of incorporating Building-Integrated Agriculture (BIA) systems into the built environment and opportunities for resource circularity.

Led out of our Vancouver Studio with the support of our firmwide research team, this study was made possible through funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program, and included contributions from several industry partners.

A diverse team of architects, engineers, academics, agri-food business leaders, planners, farmers, and engaged community members came together to develop technical guidelines and practical tools for project teams, policy makers, and urban farmers interested in implementing BIA projects and maximizing their potential for resource circularity. Through interviews, policy, and case study reviews, key themes explored in the report include:

  • Policy frameworks shaping the future of BIA
  • Market analysis and economic considerations for scaling
  • Ecological and environmental impacts of integrated food systems
  • Technical analysis for modular and hybrid system design and infrastructure compatibility
  • Design Implementation, human experience, and the role of BIA in supporting community resilience

The Resource Circularity report lays the groundwork for integrating agriculture in, on, and around a variety of building typologies, elevating BIA from innovation to infrastructure.

 

→ Read the full Resource Circularity report

This report highlights that circular cities are an urgent necessity. By rethinking urban infrastructures—with agriculture at its core—as a regenerative, productive ecosystem, we move toward a new paradigm for sustainable cities—one where buildings are not just shelters but living systems that feed, sustain, and regenerate.

Mohamed Imam, Senior Research Lead, Perkins&Will

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