In this groundbreaking episode of Catalyzing Radical Systemic Change, host Alistair Langer is joined by Julia Watson - designer, activist, academic, and author of Lo-TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism. Together, they explore how ancient ecological knowledge systems can guide the next wave of regenerative design, climate resilience, and cultural renewal.
From living bridges that grow over generations to gravity-fed rice terraces and natural wastewater treatment wetlands, Julia unveils how indigenous technologies - refined over centuries - offer blueprints for thriving in the Anthropocene. This is not about romanticizing the past, but about weaving deep time wisdom with cutting-edge innovation to reimagine our collective future.
Highlights:
🌿 Decolonizing Design – Why sustainability must move beyond Western paradigms to honor and integrate indigenous stewardship.
🔄 Circular Time & Deep Resilience – How cyclical timekeeping and regenerative systems can restore planetary balance.
🏙️ The Future of Cities – From sponge cities in China to AI-powered mapping of ancestral technologies, Julia envisions urban ecosystems as living, breathing organisms.
⚖️ Two-Eyed Seeing – A framework for merging Western science with traditional ecological knowledge for equitable and enduring solutions.
About Julia Watson:
Julia is an internationally recognized leader in ecological design, blending landscape architecture, Indigenous wisdom, and future tech into visionary strategies for climate adaptation. Her work spans continents and cultures, challenging entrenched systems of colonial architecture while advocating for living cities rooted in reciprocity and resilience.
🎧 Tune in to this essential conversation bridging ancient futures and modern innovation.
👉 juliawatson.com | Lo-TEK Book
#LoTEK #RadicalIndigenism #DecolonizingDesign #CircularTime #DeepTime #RegenerativeFutures #CatalyzingChange #ImpactAcceleratorSummit