Architecture and landscape in the ecological restoration of the territory: A systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of regenerative architecture as an emerging approach capable of transforming the landscape through ecological restoration and the deep integration of architecture, landscape, and natural systems. To this end, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix with a systematic review based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 50 studies published between 2015 and 2025 in the Scopus database were analyzed. The results reveal a sustained increase in scientific output related to terms such as regenerative architecture, regenerative design, and sustainable development, especially from 2022 onward, demonstrating the growing interest in this approach. Furthermore, the findings show that regenerative architecture overcomes the limitations of traditional sustainable design by promoting buildings and urban systems capable of restoring degraded ecosystems, generating ecosystem services, and strengthening the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of territories. The reviewed literature also highlights the role of innovations such as applied microbial ecologies, landscape integration systems, and holistic design models, which enable the development of “living cities” based on bioremediation dynamics. Taken together, this review demonstrates that regenerative architecture constitutes a transformative paradigm for addressing the challenges of climate change, promoting ecological resilience, and guiding the future of architecture toward a symbiotic relationship between nature and society.