Soils are far more than just the ground beneath our feet. They are critical to climate resilience, food and biomass production, biodiversity support and the overall health and sustainability of our ecosystems.
Yet soils are rarely, if ever, integrated into urban planning and design practices in a systematic way. How can they become a central consideration in building more sustainable, resilient and liveable cities and regions?
Join iUE’s first webinar on Soil Functions and related Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Cities to find that out! Gain insights into how soil considerations are being integrated worldwide, take part in an interactive mapping session and find capacity-building opportunities to support your work.
When? June 25th 2025, at 15:30 CET
Where? Online. Register here!
AGENDA
1. WHAT DOES SOIL SCIENCE TELL US?
Introduction to key soil functions and their relevance for urban and regional planning.
Ecosystem services and soil health as the foundation of resilience.
2. INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS: HOW ARE SOILS CONSIDERED IN PLANNING AROUND THE WORLD?
Europe
Evolving policy frameworks, by Yoann Clouet (iUE – France / The Netherlands)
Soil as a guiding principle in planning and design, by Sophia Armpara (TUDelft – Greece / The Netherlands)
Latin America
A legal approach: legal protection of urban wetlands in Chile, by Carolina Rojas Quezada (PUCC – Chile)
A practical approach: translating geofunctions into the engineering practice for resilient cities in Ecuador, by Jorge David Albuja Sánchez (PUCE – Ecuador)
3. INTERACTIVE SESSION: COLLABORATIVE MAPPING VIA MIRO BOARD
What’s happening in your part of the world?
Understanding practitioner needs: what do planners need to work with soils?
4. GET INVOLVED: HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO SOIL-SMART PLANNING?
Explore capacity-building opportunities through the SPADES project and its partners.
// Moderation by Tannya Pico (iUE)
We hope to see you there!