This chapter contends that the key factor that has driven humankind and its planet into the Anthropocene is the modernist idea to achieve human progressModernist idea to achieve human progress through controlling natureNature and society on basis of universal principles, without paying attention to or even suppressing local conditions of both ‘nature’ and ‘society’. An alternative orientation for developmentDevelopment is to (i) replace theInstrumentalization of instrumentalisation of natureInstrumentalizing nature to serve human needsHuman need by mutual alignment of human and social needs with natureNature through (ii) re-appreciating opportunities for regeneration of energy, resourcesResources and the atmosphere. The chapter elaborates this building on two examples: modern, productivist agriculture and associate waterWater management and foodFood consumption practices in EuropeEurope and the US; and energy, water and waste disposalWaste disposal systems in American and European cities. These will show how place-based, regenerative development, creating synergySynergy with rather than exploiting natureNature offers a promising way to remedy society’s adverse impacts on the planet during the AnthropoceneAnthropocene, and may help improve and maintain a fair and sustainable level of well-beingHuman Well-being of current and future generationsGeneration globally. Guiding principles for associatePlace-based governance place-based governanceGovernance include new constitutional understanding of notions like equity and accountability; new finance arrangements and standards that allow for synergy and adaptiveAdaptive governance.