The workshop highlighted the role of spatial planning in preserving land within the EUSALP area, with particular attention to the conflicts and political dimensions surrounding land use. It explored key challenges observed at the local level, drawing especially on insights from the BrokeringSpaces project, which was implemented across the entire EUSALP territory. The discussions emphasised the importance of local commitment for achieving the overarching objectives of EUSALP and the EU strategies on soil, land use, climate change, and biodiversity.
The workshop focused on the European target of reaching net-zero land take by 2050, with an emphasis on the local scale, where the construction sector and circular economy play a decisive role. As the construction industry accounts for a substantial share of CO₂ emissions, waste generation, and land consumption, participants stressed the importance of gaining a holistic understanding of the challenge. At the same time, the workshop underscored the need to identify local pathways towards solutions, since the local level remains crucial for implementing—or resisting—regional, national, and European ambitions related to land take.
Speakers:
Alenka Smerkolj (Alpine Convention)
Robert Ortner (Region of Tyrol)
Manuela Brückner (SIR – Salzburger Institut für Raumordnung & Wohnen)
Luca Daprà (BASIS Vinschgau Venosta)
Marion Ebster-Kreuzer (CIPRA International)
Christian Steiner (European Land and Soil Alliance)
