In a world where 60-70% of Europe’s soils are classified as unhealthy, there is an urgent need for tools and initiatives designed to protect and enhance soils. The EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is committed to increasing soil health by 2030. Steps include funding research, establishing pilots, developing a monitoring framework, and increasing soil literacy.
This research program includes the Horizon Europe project SPADES, which celebrated its inaugural meeting in October at Deltares (project coordinator) in Delft, Netherlands. The project links researchers with local and regional authorities working together to embed soil health into spatial planning processes.
A Comprehensive Vision for Soil Health in Planning and design
Over the next four years, SPADES will develop a unified approach to integrating soil health across all areas of land management. Working with 17 pilot projects in tenEuropean countries, SPADES will investigate the potential for integrating soil health into spatial planning and design in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Pilots will address soil degradation challenges and threats such as soil sealing, pollution, land take, and erosion, testing strategies to promote healthier and more resilient soils within each unique context. This work could play a key role in supporting member states in restoring land ecosystems by at least 20%, as per the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, and in achieving the soil health targets outlined by the proposed Soil Monitoring Law.
Groundbreaking Tools and Approaches
SPADES does not just have lofty goals, it has actionable plans for achieving them. A key example here is the proposed "SPADES Navigator," an innovative web tool that will guide planners and policymakers in the integration of soil considerations into spatial planning. The Navigator will cater to diverse user needs by offering accessible information, adaptable soil tools, and support to ensure soil considerations become integral to land use strategies.
The project is also pioneering methods to elevate soil literacy. Through a mix of training programs (e.g. UrbanByNature), communication resources, and publications, SPADES aims to improve soil knowledge among European planners and policymakers. Soil literacy is essential if we are to build a foundation for long-term and effective soil management.
Looking Ahead
As SPADES embarks on its journey, the project team is dedicated to translating its ambitious goals into actionable strategies for Europe’s planners and policymakers. Over the next four years, SPADES will focus on refining its tools, fostering knowledge exchange, and starting up the pilots to showcase successful soil-health integration. Stay tuned to learn more about how SPADES will help make soil health a core component of spatial planning across Europe.