Despite the EU's commitment to achieving no net land take, urban expansion and land consumption remain pressing challenges. While downzoning and desealing (DD) are potential strategies to counteract these trends, their practical implementation raises critical questions. Are such measures effectively practiced? Can urban planning truly align with the EU’s land take reduction targets?

This research seminar will explore the latest advancements in DD strategies, assessing their feasibility and effectiveness. Are countries implementing meaningful policies? Do current planning frameworks support the transition towards land conservation? These and other key issues will be discussed in this workshop.