Planterne

Planterne is a term used in speculative ecology and design to describe a planetary-scale network of ecosystems, built environments, and governance systems intended to sustain long-term habitability. The concept envisions integrating agriculture, urban spaces, energy systems, and ecological processes into a coherent, regenerative framework.

Core components include closed-loop nutrient cycles, soil restoration, agroforestry, urban vertical farming, renewable energy, water reclamation, and biodiversity corridors. Planterne emphasizes resilience to climate variability, local self-reliance, and participatory stewardship, often supported by digital monitoring, sensor networks, and data-driven optimization of energy, material, and information flows.

Applications are primarily theoretical or aspirational, serving as a lens for climate-adaptation planning, planetary urbanism, and space-habitat design. It appears in design fiction, interdisciplinary theory, and planning exercises rather than in implemented programs to date.

Governance discussions around Planterne address polycentric, participatory models and open data infrastructures, alongside concerns about feasibility, equity, governance complexity, and data sovereignty. Critics question whether such an integrated system can be realized at scale without reinforcing power imbalances, while proponents argue that it offers a unifying framework for transdisciplinary action.