Protection of areas of ecological value

Baseline strategy · No score

It avoids occupying or fragmenting valuable habitats and directs development to less environmentally sensitive places.

Subject: Plot and territoryContext: Urban planning · Infrastructure · ConstructionCost: lowEffort: mediumLevel: basicStage: planningMaturity: established
Principle of Protección de áreas de valor ecológico
Operating principle

How it works

It avoids occupying or fragmenting valuable habitats and directs development to less environmentally sensitive places.

Site decisions order impacts and opportunities before defining the building or infrastructure. Its effect is often prolonged for decades.

When does it make sense?

  • Before acquiring, requalifying or transforming a plot
  • When locations and configurations can still be compared
  • With up-to-date information on climate, mobility, soil, water and social values

How to apply it

  1. 1

    Defining what needs resolves "protection of areas of ecological value" and establishing a starting position.

  2. 2

    Compare alternatives and adapt design to climate, use, regulation, affected people and available resources.

  3. 3

    Apply with clear responsibilities, check the actual result and correct unwanted effects.

Potential benefits

Lower territorial pressure

Increased resilience

Better connection to the environment

Limitations and precautions

  • The result depends on context, design, execution and how it is used and maintained.
  • A single quality of the site does not compensate for serious impacts in other areas.
  • Future conditions and the people concerned should be part of the decision.

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