Green LUPO meets for First Thematic Workshop in Eupen (BE)

Almost all European countries are affected by increasing urbanization in spatial planning. Urban functions such as housing, transportation and communication infrastructure, industrial areas, the service sector, educational institutions, social facilities, and leisure centers are expanding rapidly. This excessive urbanization of open spaces negatively impacts various environmental aspects. For example, the fragmentation of natural habitats disrupts green corridors and degrades landscapes. Additionally, the expansion of built-up areas reduces biodiversity and species richness by consuming land and diminishing ecosystem functions.

However, the consequences of urban expansion extend beyond environmental concerns—human interests are also affected. Land designated for new developments is no longer available for agriculture, potentially causing conflicts with farmers. Furthermore, the expansion of settlements leads to high infrastructure costs for the development of new neighborhoods. Increased soil sealing accelerates water runoff, raising the risk of flooding. Finally, uncontrolled urban sprawl and inefficient land use can, in some cases, result in increasing distances between settlements and village centers.

To address these challenges, the EU has set the goal of achieving ‘No Net Land Take’ by 2050. This initiative encourages member states to minimize further land sealing and urban expansion, aiming for net-zero land take by mid-century. In practice, this means that urban development should be limited to already urbanized areas to prevent further land consumption. Achieving this target is crucial for sustainable spatial development, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity, landscapes, and agricultural land.

The key lies in joint learning through a series of thematic workshops. The first of these addresses the question, 'When is land "taken", and when is it valuable natural space?'

The aim of the project is to integrate the knowledge gained in the mutual learning process into national spatial planning processes. Ultimately, each participant should endeavour to adapt existing spatial planning documents and instruments to enable planning that protects the ecosystem functions of the soil and restores biodiversity and species diversity.