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.


Welcome_9.15
Massimo Bricocoli (PoliMI)

Introduction_9.30|10
Peter Lacoere (HOGENT & KULeuven), Downzoning and Desealing as goals and instruments
Stefano Salata (PoliMI), Mainstreaming Downzoning and Desealing in Urban Plans

Setting the scene_10|11
Davide Geneletti (UniTN), Land Take and Soil Sealing: their interaction and implications for urban planning
Andreas Moser (ETH Zurich), Monitoring the extent and use of impervious land in rural areas in Switzerland
Gundula Prokop (Environment Agency Austria), Measures related to de-sealing and downzoning in Austria

11:00 Coffee break

Local Policies_11.20|12.40
Silvia Ronchi and Beatrice Mosso (PoliMI), Downzoning and desealing in practice; the case of Varese
Ilaria Giuliani (Comune di Milano), Desealing Milano: what opportunities?
Linde Vertriest (City of Ghent), From grey to green in Ghent: a policy overview
Suzanne Van Brussel (HOGENT), Zoning and sealing reductions for the municipality of Zemst

Panel discussion
Andrea Arcidiacono (PoliMI)
Michele Munafò (ISPRA) 
Martina Koll-Schretzenmayr (ETH Zurich)