Revitalizing Regional Industries and Advancing a Regenerative Economy: Case Studies from Three Countries on the Application of Digital Transformation Technologies

A regenerative economy refers to an economic system that regenerates various forms of capital, including natural resources and social systems, for long-term use. Regenerating these forms of capital enables the sustained improvement of social well-being. This concept differs from a traditional consumption-based economy or a sustainable economy, which primarily aims to secure the satisfaction of future needs. Traditional capitalism has regenerated capital in production but has often consumed natural capital and sometimes degraded social capital. The concept of a regenerative economy provides principles for restoring these forms of capital. This paper discusses how digital transformation (DX) technologies can help realize a regenerative economy, using development projects for DX technologies as case studies. Airport-adjacent districts in three countries—Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand—representing different industrial sectors are examined, and the impacts of these technologies are analyzed based on Fullerton’s concept of a regenerative economy. Based on qualitative assessment, we found that these technologies are expected to contribute to improving some principles of a regenerative economy, but challenges remain in others. As a result, the concept of a regenerative economy can be useful for a conceptual yet holistic assessment of the regeneration of natural and social capital.