Building the Next Era of Regenerative, Community-Led Urban Transformation
Cities don’t just shape skylines. They shape whether people feel connected, supported, and able to thrive together. Generation Regeneration: Co-Designing the Future of Cities Through Regenerative Placemaking by Future of Cities founder Tony Cho argues that the next era of city-making must start with a simple premise: community is not an “input” to development—it’s the outcome we design for.
The Loneliness Epidemic Is a Design Problem—and Real Estate Helped Create It
What we’re calling a “loneliness epidemic” is not merely cultural or personal—it’s structural. Decades of profit-driven, car-centric, single-use, isolating development have steadily weakened the social fabric. We are often physically closer, yet emotionally and civically disconnected: fewer “third places,” fewer casual interactions, less trust, and reduced neighborhood resilience.
This crisis isn’t accidental. It is the predictable result of systems optimized for throughput and return, not belonging and care. If the built environment can accelerate disconnection, it can also be co-designed to restore connection.
Regenerative Placemaking Is a Blueprint: Treat Cities Like Living Ecosystems
Future of Cities advances regenerative placemaking as the governing framework—moving beyond “sustainable” (doing less harm) to regenerative (actively healing). Regenerative placemaking is a systems approach that aligns three pillars as the core infrastructure of thriving places:
Community: shared power, local leadership, and durable relationships
Nature: nature-based design that restores and strengthens ecosystems
Culture: identity, meaning, and the creative life that builds belonging
When these pillars work together, neighborhoods can produce what conventional development often cannot: trust, vitality, and environments that nourish both people and planet.
Regeneration Is Wellness
Wellness isn’t a feature you add after a project is delivered. It is the direct outcome of whether a place regenerates life—socially, ecologically, and culturally.
When cities are designed for extraction and isolation, wellness declines, regardless of amenities. When cities are designed to restore ecosystems and strengthen belonging, wellness becomes the default.
A Book About Co-Designing What Comes Next
At the center of Generation Regeneration is co-design: engaging residents early, treating participation as real decision-making, and building with the cultural anchors—artists, educators, local institutions—who hold neighborhood continuity.
This is the shift Future of Cities is making visible: from development as transaction to placemaking as stewardship—guided by Community + Nature + Culture as the true wellness infrastructure of the future city.
Cities are more than just buildings and streets. They are living, breathing ecosystems fueled by the energy of people, culture, and innovation. As we stand at the crossroads of a rapidly changing world, the future of urban living calls for bold ideas, collaborative action, and sustainable solutions. That’s where you come in.
At Future of Cities, we are building a community for forward-thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who share a vision for creating thriving, sustainable, and regenerative urban environments. Together, we aim to address the challenges of today while designing solutions for tomorrow—grounded in sustainability, creativity, and a deep respect for our planet.
Here’s what you can expect as part of our movement:
1. Be at the Forefront of Innovation
Explore cutting-edge ideas and solutions that reshape urban living. From regenerative architecture to circular economies, you’ll engage with projects and initiatives pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
2. Build a Better World Together
Collaborate with a diverse network of individuals—urban planners, artists, architects, entrepreneurs, and environmental advocates—who are united by a shared purpose. It’s not just about conversations; it’s about co-creating actionable strategies for positive impact.
3. Learn and Grow
Participate in thought-provoking events, workshops, and discussions that challenge conventional thinking. Gain insights from global experts and contribute your own unique perspective to the dialogue.
4. Create Lasting Impact
Our mission is rooted in the belief that cities can be engines of regeneration—places where people and the planet thrive together. Your involvement helps us pioneer models of urban development that inspire real, measurable change.
Believes in the power of sustainability and regeneration.
Sees creativity as a tool for transformation.
Is passionate about reimagining cities as hubs of community, culture, and environmental stewardship.
Wants to be part of a forward-thinking network of leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a student with big dreams, or someone simply curious about the possibilities for better urban living, your voice and vision are welcome here.
Ways to Join us…
There are a variety of ways to become a part of the Future of Cities community
Become a Partner: Strategic partners include educational institutions, corporations, foundations, governments, non-profits, and NGOs.
Collaborate and Co-Create Have a project idea or want to contribute your skills? We’d love to hear from you. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Apply to join the Future of Cities WhatsApp Community today.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Stay informed about upcoming events, thought leadership pieces, and opportunities to collaborate.
Attend Upcoming Events: From live discussions to hands-on workshops, our events are designed to inspire and empower.
Engage on Social Media: Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook to share ideas, meet like-minded individuals, and spread the message of change.
Let’s Build the Future Together
The future of cities isn’t written yet—it’s being created, one idea, one project, and one community at a time. By joining this movement, you’re not just imagining a better world; you’re actively building it.
So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement today and be part of a legacy of sustainable, regenerative, and creative urban living.
Innovation, sustainability and community to co-create places and systems that serve people and planet
On the Road to… We are excited to share the release of Road to Utopia, a series on Food Matters TV (FMTV) on Amazon featuring Future of Cities founder Tony Cho, alongside Alessa Berg of Top Tier Impact. Episode 1 dives into the future of regenerative communities with Tony, highlighting our demonstration projects that are reimagining regenerative development and creative placemaking through Regenerative Placemaking including the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District in Jacksonville, Florida, the Climate & Innovation HUB in Miami and ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary in Sebastian, Florida. In celebration of the official release we are excited to share the upcoming screening schedule with our community along with an opportunity to enter to win a Safari Weekend Getaway at ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary to join Tony & the Future of Cities team for a weekend in the wild + Q&A. Read on for all of the details!
Protopia is about incremental progress—acknowledging that perfection isn’t the goal but rather a steady movement toward a better, more regenerative future. Unlike the static and often unattainable vision of utopia, protopia embraces the idea of adaptive evolution. It’s about learning from our mistakes, iterating solutions, and cultivating resilience in the face of complexity.
“To me, protopia is rooted in collaboration and grounded action; it’s about weaving together innovation, sustainability, and community engagement to create places and systems that serve both people and the planet…”
– Tony Cho
Road to Utopia invites us into a pivotal journey of transformation, exploring how innovation, purpose, and regeneration can redefine humanity’s path. By focusing on solutions and inner growth, this docuseries empowers you to take concrete steps toward building your personal utopia while contributing to a better world. Through eight captivating episodes, the series shines a light on the visionaries, innovators, and changemakers who are already building the foundations of a better tomorrow. From regenerative communities and alternative education to circular economies, breakthroughs in energy, longevity, and inner development, Road to Utopia explores real-world solutions that can transform how we live, learn, and thrive.
The Road to Utopia episode on regenerative communities features an insightful journey through the Future of Cities ecosystem, showcasing innovative approaches to regenerative development and creative placemaking. Guided by Tony Cho, Founder and co-creator of Future of Cities, the episode highlights how intentional community building can inspire sustainability and empower for regenerative outcomes. Through the lens of the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District, viewers explore how art, culture, and collaboration serve as catalysts for urban transformation. The Climate & Innovation HUB emerges as a model for green innovation and resilience, providing a platform to address pressing environmental challenges while fostering community engagement and forward-thinking solutions.
Tony also shares a deeply personal perspective on the history and legacy of ChoZen Eco-Retreat and sanctuary—a haven for biodiversity, reflection, and intentional living. Situated on sacred land, ChoZen embodies the principles of harmony with nature and the power of regenerative practices to heal both land and people. By weaving together stories of these interconnected spaces, the episode offers a vivid portrait of how Future of Cities is redefining urban living, rooted in creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability. This roadmap to a more “protopian” future highlights the critical role of leadership, vision, and collective action in shaping thriving communities that honor both people and the planet.
“Utopia can be paralyzing because it suggests a singular ideal, but protopia invites us to actively participate in shaping a diverse and equitable world. It’s an ongoing journey where progress is celebrated and even small wins have a ripple effect. By focusing on regenerative development and conscious placemaking, we have the tools to build this better future—one step at a time.”
We are excited to share the release of Road to Utopia, a series on Food Matters TV (FMTV) on Amazon featuring Future of Cities founder Tony Cho, alongside Alessa Berg of Top Tier Impact. Episode 1 dives into the future of regenerative communities with Tony, highlighting our demonstration projects that are reimagining regenerative development and creative placemaking through Regenerative Placemaking with the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District in Jacksonville, Florida, the Climate & Innovation HUB in Miami and ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary in Sebastian, Florida.
In celebration of the official release we are excited to share the upcoming screening schedule with our community along with an opportunity to enter to win a Safari Weekend Getaway at ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary to join Tony & the Future of Cities team for a weekend in the wild from Feb 7-9th + Q&A on February 8th, 2025.
As a demonstration project of Future of Cities, ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary gathers thought leaders, change makers, community builders and place makers from around the world who seek to explore regenerative systems and implement climate solutions. By reconnecting with the land and fully immersing guests in a regenerative lifestyle, ChoZen provides a unique culture and vibrant environment to inspire positive change & transformation for future generations.
A toolkit for realizing opportunity and managing risk
Tanya Watts, Director of Neighborhood Affairs at our PHX-JAX Arts + Innovation District, leading community engagement activities to learn from locals on aspirations and needs for their city.
What is the approach?
At Future of Cities we believe Regenerative Placemaking is the transformative approach to development for our cities and the built environment to change course and maximize returns and impact.
For this reason, we are developing a unique Framework rooted in three pillars that catalyze the development process: To first understand the local community, nature and culture in the area in which you work. Then, work to engage, empower and uplift the talent, knowledge, skills, design, ecology and activations within these pillars, to co-create solutions.
This is the foundation for equitable and regenerative development.
Art installations at PHX-JAX
If we start with humility, an opening arises to learn about bountiful opportunities from the local community, nature and culture. Our FOC methodology provides strategies and outreach guides to learn about your “place” of operation, and unlock the vast socio-economic benefits that can be reached.
When it comes to risk management, we have learned that projects have much less control than one realizes, and a simple mismanagement could threaten its success. Respecting and honoring this will actually empower you, as a project manager or investor — to realize the incredible power and capabilitythat local communities, nature, and cultures have to elevate your investment and impact.
Founder and CEO of Cho Ventures, Tony Cho
Our toolkit tackles policy challenges such as how to coordinate with civil society, and engage community leaders and groups in decision-making and project design. We also promote creating jobs in the locality, providing education on innovative nature-based solutions, and engaging youth, to name a few.
We showcase examples that demonstrate lessons learned, and how it can be implemented in different settings.
Rather than starting at the point of problems, Future of Cities is focusing on identifying opportunities within any area. As a global community we’ve been looking at and trying to solve “problems” for decades, and they just end up repeating themselves.
We believe in the great knowledge, solutions and growth found in local communities, ecosystems, and cultures. The possibilities reveal themselves when you unlock this secret sauce: Moreover, the risks are diminished, and resiliency against unforeseen shocks are built in.
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Become a Regenerative Placemaker and join in co-creating the future of cities with us as we work together towards a more regenerative future.
Subscribeto our newsletter at focities.com to get involved, email me at: ajtohme@focities.com and follow us on Instagram.
Alexandra J Tohme — Research & Partnership Manager
by Alexandra J Tohme
Regenerative Placemaking involves re-igniting our relationships with the natural environment, with our neighbors and communities, and cultural heritage.
Future of Cities (FOC)is developing the “Regenerative Placemaking Framework” to guide urban developers, planners, architects, sustainability experts, mayors, real estate investors and more — for all those who have a role to play in the regenerative development of the built environment. This toolkit is meant to serve as a guide, scorecard and standards framework to ensure that the maximum potential of any project can be reached for environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits.
Our framework is centered upon three core pillars for development: community, nature and culture — which act as the foundation to development, and starting point to delve into 11 issue areas (and many more) for innovative policy solutions. On the one hand, we note that all issue areas have interconnection with other areas and policy domains. And on the other: the 11 is not an exhaustive list, but an example of critical issues facing the areas we (and our partners) work in.
Community 𑇐 Nature 𑇐 Culture
Community Engagement Activities at PHX-JAX to hear from and learn from local residents on the aspirations, concerns, and dreams for their neighborhood.
In fact, what we promote — is for policymakers and project managers to work with local communities, ecosystems and cultures in order to identify the priority issue areas that should be addressed in the first place. Each locality has its own set of needs and aspirations — our toolkit helps you find out what those priorities are.
“Regenerative Placemaking is a development approach that protects existing neighborhoods by co-creating sustainable, eco-friendly and inclusive projects, emphasizing participatory planning, cross-sector collaboration and financial prosperity for the community.”
Our Framework is promoting this methodology in order to reach the greatest investment returns and impact on social, economic, environmental and cultural levels.
To do this, each development project must start with deep listening and understanding of the local community, natural ecosystems, and cultural heritages & identities. By focusing on opportunities rather than problems, we catalyze and unlock the amazing potential of a place to boost equitable development and returns on your investments.
Regeneration means contributing to the value-generating processes of the living systems of which we are part. It is both a science and philosophy, to regenerate life, and adopt a new thinking and approach. According to Merriam Webster, “the act or process of regenerating,” is both the renewal or restoration of a bodily part or biological system, and it is also spiritual renewal or revival. In this sense, we can think about our three pillars — community, nature and culture — as the living systems that need renewal and revival: so that our cities can flourish, our economies prosper and our planet can regenerate.
With this framework we provide a dynamic playbook that offers best practices and case studies from around the world, strategies, ESG incentives, economic returns, and more that can be adopted across industries and sectors.
Join us for an eco-getaway at the gorgeous nature preserve and luxury eco-retreat at ChoZen, in Sebastian, central FloridaTanya Watts our Director of Neighborhood Affairs and Emily Moody, Director of Community Engagement at PHX-JAX.
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Become a Regenerative Placemaker and join in co-creating the future of cities with us as we work together towards a more regenerative future.
Subscribe to our newsletter at focities.com to get involved, email me at: ajtohme@focities.com and follow us on Instagram.
While “sustainability” focuses on reducing humans’ harmful impact on the natural environment to mitigate damage and toxicity, regeneration goes beyond restoration and focuses on revitalization to allow nature to fulfill its full potential.
Regeneration actively reinvigorates, giving life and value to biodiverse ecosystems, changing our approach and appreciation for clean air & water, fertile lands, and efficient resource management.
Civilization has everything to gain by reconnecting and supporting nature to thrive. Through the integration of design practices such as permaculture & biomimicry we create more space for nature to re-emerge and reach it’s fullest capacity and benefit to human life — such as more beautiful and harmonious architecture, and enhanced mental, physical and spiritual well-being. Nature organically embeds circularity, self-sustenance and climate resilience throughout our continued human developments.
Regeneration applies to our neighborhoods, too. If we revitalize value into disadvantaged communities, cultural assets, and people, we end-up with self-sufficiency, empowerment, stability and joy.
We need to shift our mindset and gear it towards innovative and proactive efforts for regeneration — that would promote our collective health and prosperity.
“Sustainability just sustains the status quo. Regenerative Placemaking doesn’t exclude or kick out people or displace people. It’s a framework we’re developing based on my 20-plus years of experience in underserved communities — what went right but mostly what went wrong.”
Tony Cho | Future of Cities Founder
One of our community activities at the Phoenix Arts + Innovation District in Jacksonville is a plant swap bringing neighbors together around regenerative projects
“Placemaking” refers to the process of making urban centers and neighborhoods livable by ensuring economic opportunity, food accessibility, and climate-sustainable infrastructure, as well as social equity, public health, wellbeing and cultural vibrancy. By investing in making these “places” — we grow and strengthen existing communities that, for socioeconomic, political, or environmental reasons, have not benefited from urban developments to the same degree as other neighborhoods or cities.
As we place-make regeneratively — we celebrate the value and worth thatlocal communities, nature and culture inherently offer — we improve quality of life for people of diverse backgrounds to coexist, co-create and collectively thrive.
Giving life back to nature at ChoZen Retreat, Sebastian, Florida
Developing the local circular economy should be a goal of every developer and investor. Michal Shuman, author says:
“ If done correctly, economic development might bring a community more jobs, more wealth, a larger tax base, and greater prosperity. Consumers might enjoy more and better goods and services. More businesses might get started and become more profitable. Residents might enjoy better schools and better funded public services.”
Become a Regenerative Placemaker and join in co-creating the future of cities with us as we work together towards a more regenerative future.
Our eco-retreat on 40 acres of nature preserved land and rivers is a Regenerative Placemaking demonstration project — visit us at ChoZen
Subscribe to our newsletter at focities.com to get involved, email me at: ajtohme@focities.com and follow us on Instagram.
Alexandra J Tohme — Research & Partnership Manager
Participatory Co-Design & Proactive Balance for Regenerative Futures
“Oceans should be viewed as bodies of water that connect people, cultures, and nations, not separate them.”
Professor Ramsay Taum, Blue Continent
Oceans Month is almost over but the life beneath the surface continues to thrive. Our oceans are our greatest teachers of collaboration. This month we’ve been in awe of our underwater friends and their ability to move together & protect each other.
At Future of Cities headquarters we’ve been focusing our attention on Ecological Balance, our giving and receiving, ebbing and flowing, slowing down to listen to the wisdom that lies at the depths of the oceans, beneath our soils, in the rays of the sun & through the powers of the wind.
Preserving our planet’s ecosystems involves deep listening, participatory co-design, co-creation, collaboration and the implementation of varied practices and technologies for maintaining an active balance within the built environment. There is no one size fits all solution and cohabitating requires cooperation.
Ecological balance…
A foundational principle of our Regenerative Placemaking framework is “ecological balance.” Ecological balance is fundamental to mitigating biodiversity loss and securing a more sustainable future for the next seven generations. Within ecological balance we honor our past to teach us how to harmoniously adapt & coexist with the various climate changes at hand in the present. The intricacies of ecosystems is a complex web of interconnectedness which requires active participation and continuous balancing for lasting change.
This month, as we immerse ourselves in the oceans of change, we’ve been wondering, with all that the ocean selflessly provides for us, in what ways can we continue to innovate and give back to our oceans?
As conscientious stewards of digital technology & ecological policymaking, we have a shared responsibility to deploy efforts and resources to preserve indigenous cultures while simultaneously recognizing, honoring and amplifying the immense contributions that indigenous leaders and communities are continuing to make towards modern technological advancements.
At the end of May we gathered for a historic geopolitical event with some of our close partners and global leaders at the ChoZen eco-retreat for a roundtable on regenerative technologies and cultural identity. Our Future of Cities team joined in a land blessing, with prayers led by Hawaiian indigenous leader and professor Ramsay Taum.
During their time at ChoZen, Blue Continent Institute generously shared with us their visions and goals on cultural respect and identity, passing on perspectives of island states and their depth of understanding for the importance of ecological balance beginning with the ocean.
The wisdom that the ocean carries gifts us many insights, beyond water as natural wonders or utility for human transactions, and instead takes us on a much deeper journey to look within ourselves for the inner knowing that we are made of the ocean and are not separate from it.
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Shaping America’s Role in the Post-COVID World
On March 4th, 2022, Future of Cities participated in the annual digitally mediated Horasis USA meeting. The meeting focused on the United States’ future and how it impacts the rest of the world. With 750 speakers and more than 150 sessions, it was an insightful event that resulted in numerous proposed ideas to positively shape the future of our world.
Tony Cho, CEO and founder of Future of Cities, was on a panel centered around the complexities of new urbanization—chaired by Timothy J. Nichol of Liverpool John Moores University—with Antonio Cantalapiedra of Woonivers, Mayor Eugene W. Grant of Seat Pleasant, Maxim Kiselev of Skoltech, and Avi Rabinovitch of Creative Links.
About Horasis: Horasis is a “global visions community committed to inspiring our future” and offers leaders and companies a platform to go global.
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