Publications (FIS)

Practical applications of ecosystem services in spatial planning

Lessons learned from a systematic literature review

authored by: Davide Longato, Chiara Cortinovis, Christian Albert, Davide Geneletti
Abstract: The integration of ecosystem service (ES) knowledge into decision-making processes is increasingly endorsed by various policies and initiatives, with spatial planning targeted as one of the most relevant fields. Learning and feeding back from existing experiences is therefore a fundamental step to ensure appropriate and useful support by ES science. This paper aims to gather and critically analyse how ES science contributes to spatial planning practices. Through a systematic review of the literature about ES use in spatial planning, we map the level of integration of ES knowledge, the scale of case studies, and the type of planning addressed; and we identify and analyse case studies of real-world applications. Studies explicitly aimed at supporting spatial planning have increased over the last decade, but are still scarce. The real-world case studies reveal advantages of integrating ES knowledge into spatial planning processes, mainly concerning practical aspects such as synthesizing complex socio-environmental information and promoting participation. Windows of opportunity offered by regulatory frameworks and innovative processes and instruments, such as marine spatial plans and strategic environmental assessments, are key factors triggering the integration. However, supportive contextual conditions are necessary, including science-policy collaborations across the entire planning process and environmental awareness among policy-makers and stakeholders.
Organisation(s): Institute of Environmental Planning
External Organisation(s): University of Trento
Lund University
Type: Review article
Journal: Environmental Science and Policy
Volume: 119
Pages: 72-84
No. of pages: 13
ISSN: 1462-9011
Publication date: 05.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Geography, Planning and Development, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 14 - Life Below Water, SDG 15 - Life on Land
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.02.001 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{47424e4662644dec80e8bf8538bd581d,
title = "Practical applications of ecosystem services in spatial planning: Lessons learned from a systematic literature review",
abstract = "The integration of ecosystem service (ES) knowledge into decision-making processes is increasingly endorsed by various policies and initiatives, with spatial planning targeted as one of the most relevant fields. Learning and feeding back from existing experiences is therefore a fundamental step to ensure appropriate and useful support by ES science. This paper aims to gather and critically analyse how ES science contributes to spatial planning practices. Through a systematic review of the literature about ES use in spatial planning, we map the level of integration of ES knowledge, the scale of case studies, and the type of planning addressed; and we identify and analyse case studies of real-world applications. Studies explicitly aimed at supporting spatial planning have increased over the last decade, but are still scarce. The real-world case studies reveal advantages of integrating ES knowledge into spatial planning processes, mainly concerning practical aspects such as synthesizing complex socio-environmental information and promoting participation. Windows of opportunity offered by regulatory frameworks and innovative processes and instruments, such as marine spatial plans and strategic environmental assessments, are key factors triggering the integration. However, supportive contextual conditions are necessary, including science-policy collaborations across the entire planning process and environmental awareness among policy-makers and stakeholders.",
keywords = "Ecosystem service integration, Land use planning, Planning instrument, Planning process, Science-policy interface",
author = "Davide Longato and Chiara Cortinovis and Christian Albert and Davide Geneletti",
note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by the Renature project ( European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme , grant no. 809988 ); the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Science and Spatial Planning (Formas) (grant no. 2016‐00324 {\textquoteleft}Nature-based solutions for urban challenges{\textquoteright}); and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium f{\"u}r Bildung und Forschung – BMBF for the PlanSmart group, grant no. 01UU1601A ). Funding Information: This research was supported by the Renature project (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant no. 809988); the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Science and Spatial Planning (Formas) (grant no. 2016-00324 ?Nature-based solutions for urban challenges?); and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium f?r Bildung und Forschung ? BMBF for the PlanSmart group, grant no. 01UU1601A).",
year = "2021",
month = may,
doi = "10.1016/j.envsci.2021.02.001",
language = "English",
volume = "119",
pages = "72--84",
journal = "Environmental Science and Policy",
issn = "1462-9011",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
}