Expert Perspectives of Integrating Biodiversity in Spatial Planning: Contributions from promising practices

University of Lisbon – Instituto Superior Técnico; University of Trento

This report provides an exploration of Best Practices for integrating biodiversity into spatial planning and management. It responds to the growing recognition – underscored by OECD and IPBES reports – that land use and land cover change are critical drivers of biodiversity loss. In this context, the report offers a structured approach to identifying and analysing Best Practices that help reveal pathways for fostering transformative change to enhance biodiversity through spatial planning.

Best Practices are defined here as cases, methods, techniques, or approaches that yield superior outcomes and can be adapted to new settings through learning and knowledge exchange. Recognising the challenges of context dependency, the report emphasises viewing Best Practices not as fixed solutions, but as discursive processes shaped by the specific conditions in which they are applied. In the realm of biodiversity and spatial planning, this requires attention to both substantive (content-related) and procedural (process-related) dimensions.

The report follows a three-step methodology: collecting, analysing, and structuring Best Practices. Data collection involved expert surveys and a systematic review of the Oppla repository. From these sources, 56 examples were identified and evaluated using classification criteria and lexical analysis to uncover recurring patterns, implementation contexts, and key success factors. The structuring phase used these insights to inform practical frameworks for policy and planning.

Despite the diverse contexts in which these practices were implemented, the analytical process reveals consistent patterns that can inform transformative change. A key finding is the critical interplay between substantive and procedural dimensions, particularly how participatory processes and local engagement reinforce ecological objectives. The report highlights the importance of investing in biodiversity knowledge – both its generation and its communication – as a catalyst for public mobilisation and institutional change. Effective practices demonstrate that making biodiversity values accessible and relatable to communities fosters collective ownership and action.

Furthermore, the report argues for a strong integration of biodiversity into broader environmental governance, aligned with an ecosystem-based approach. 

Best Practices affirm that biodiversity is not a niche concern but is intrinsically linked to other environmental functions such as water, soil, and air regulation. Local, micro-scale Nature-Based Solutions, while sometimes criticised, are shown to be powerful tools for grassroots involvement and network-building for biodiversity.

This resource is intended for planners, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking evidence-based, context-sensitive strategies to integrate biodiversity into spatial planning. It provides both conceptual clarity and actionable tools to support biodiversity-positive outcomes across varied planning contexts and scales.

Expert Perspectives of Integrating Biodiversity in Spatial Planning: Contributions from promising practices