Podium Discussion

Urban and Spatial Planning: What are the Challenges and Obstacles for Biodiversity?

In a world where the urban population continues to grow, city and regional planning has become a major challenge. How can we meet the needs of a constantly evolving society while respecting the natural balances that sustain our existence?

Biodiversity, often seen as distant from urban spaces, actually plays a key role in our cities and regions. It influences our quality of life, regulates ecosystems, and helps mitigate the effects of climate change. However, it is often jeopardized by soil artificialization, habitat fragmentation, and uncontrolled urban expansion.

This roundtable invites participants to collectively reflect on several fundamental questions:

• How can we integrate the preservation and restoration of biodiversity into urban and regional planning projects?
• What mechanisms can be activated to reconcile urban development with nature conservation?
• Beyond the challenges, what opportunities can biodiversity offer to reinvent our cities and territories?

To shed light on these issues, we have assembled a panel of experts from diverse fields:

Biodiversity Agnency - Water, Biodiversity, and Climate Directorate (DEBC) of the Grand Est Region

Urban Planning and Territorial Projects Service (ATPU), Urbanism and Territories Directorate (DUT), City and Eurometropolis of Strasbourg

Natural Reserves Manager

Consulting Firm

Students