Last week, we attended the Kick-Off Meeting of our new research project SPADES (Spatial Planning and Design with Soil), which looks to promote soil-inclusive planning, supporting the EU vision to achieve healthy soils by 2050. SPADES is a key project under the EU Mission A Soil Deal for Europe, aiming to restore all the soil health of all European soils by 2050. The project will strive to integrate soil considerations into the planning practice across the continent.

As one of the core partners of the project, our role will be to lead research activities to evaluate the potential of soil in spatial strategies, compiling inventories of practices for soil assessment and soil integration. We will also contribute to the uptake of best practices by the planning and design sector.

SPADES will enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of planning practices, directly echoing our mission of upholding professional excellence in planning and advancing sustainable planning practices. The ISOCARP Institute will strive to increase awareness at the global stage of the importance of soil in spatial planning. We are convinced that the new knowledge and tools developed by SPADES will benefit planners worldwide!