KBA, a landscape architecture and environmental design firm, practices “restorative redevelopment.” This holistic approach calls for reclaiming and renewing existing property, and promotes economic development, sustainable design and ecological restoration. The company encourages learning from past practices in order to improve planning and land development.
Innovation
The goal of restorative redevelopment is to reestablish vibrant, productive and safe communities, and create healthier environments. This goal can be realized by examining and refining the process of land use development, and by promoting a better understanding of ecological, social and economic systems. Past expansion and land development practices have sometimes led to polluted vacant industrial areas with outdated infrastructures, fragmented and/or damaged ecosystems, and abandoned neighborhoods. KBA provides innovative ideas for promoting sustainable development and preserving natural ecosystems.
Impact
The business’ impact comes from its use of restorative redevelopment as a planning framework. Restorative redevelopment is a pro-active approach to reinvesting in and restoring existing land. When this approach is taken early in a planning process, the outcome produces ecologically sound, healthy communities. The firm categorizes its work into the following areas: sustainable community planning, natural resource planning, urban revitalization, restoration ecology, and low impact site design and development. Some of KBA’s projects have included redevelopment of old industrialized urban areas and infrastructures, and the protection of watersheds, streams and green space.
Inspiration
KBA’s Principal, Jeffrey Kerr, is deeply committed to the theory of restorative redevelopment, and has proven that it works. In addition to managing a successful business, Kerr has stated his responsibility to help, “create more capacity, more awareness, and appreciation for how systems work.” To that end, he attempts to work with other businesses and individuals in the Greater Cleveland area to promote increased awareness that will lead to improved land development. Since its inception in 1998, KBA has been working with regional and local governments, public agencies, non-profit groups and private developers to create new value in the area’s manmade and natural bioregion. KBA also sponsors the work of environmental organizations such as Entrepreneurs for Sustainability.
The World Inquiry editorial team edited this profile from the original submission of the interviewer or other source. The views expressed do not necessarily represent Case Western Reserve University, the Weatherhead School of Management or the Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. More >>
