‘This is a wonderful book that should be on the desk of every architect and planner. It shows how

14 
Reversing 
Resource 
Transfers
 
From pyramidal to 
positive resource 
distribution
There have been great efficiency gains in some areas, which have mitigated the impacts of growing 
resource flows and disparities of wealth. By comparing components through input–output analyses, 
we can make plastic bottles thinner, make more efficient air-conditioners, and increase the yield of 
crops relative to the cost of chemicals. But as a society, we still seldom ask whether we actually need 
more plastic bottles, fossil fuel heating and cooling, or chemical fertilizers. The emphasis on reducing 
consumption trends can instil the false impression that we have a demand-driven economy. Our 
supply-driven production systems put candy in front of people and then ask them to abstain. We 
have neglected the ecology and failed to appreciate the ability of built environment design to value-
add social and environmental benefits. Input–output thinking means other design relationships 
tend to be neglected, such as the nexus between functions, materials, space and context. Instead of 
escapism, what we really want from products and buildings are comfort, conviviality, convenience, 
quality of life, love and laughter. Buildings – energy-guzzling glass, steel, concrete and aluminium 
cubicle containers – may not be the best way of achieving these qualities.
Our methods and tools have not helped us to design net positive buildings or balanced environmental 
flows between cities and regions. We have seen the need for design tools and processes that instead 
help us re-conceive development (cities, buildings, farms and factories, infrastructure) in relation 
to each other, development, the bioregion and the life-support system. Systems design must better 
address social sustainability as well, not just a more fair distribution of pollution. Design should 
counterbalance or reverse inequitable resource transfers – in ways that make everyone better off. To 
do this, we have said, planning analysis tools are needed that, among other things:
•
Identify social, environmental and ecological problems and inequities in 
existing
development (resource transfers, internalities, costs of inaction and so on)
• 
Track the transfer of resources through development and land-use allocation, including the
transfer of space from public to private uses
• 
Help find ways in which ‘rurban’ development could improve upon these conditions (design 

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236
Positive Development
for eco-services) and restore environmental flows (eg river restoration, nature corridors and
biodiversity habitats)
• 
Provide a framework for prioritizing public and/or private investments in eco-innovations to 
turn vicious circles into virtuous cycles
In this chapter, we will outline a conceptual framework to guide methods to map resource flows 
and transfers, assess the effectiveness of planning policies, and prioritize investment in Positive 
Development.