This policy brief presents a methodology aimed at strengthening spatial planning and management in the cities participating in the BiodiverCiudades (“biodiverCities“) initiative, promoted by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). One of the main challenges facing cities in Latin America is the disconnect between urban planning and local needs, which has resulted in ineffective solutions and a deepening of social and cultural exclusion. The active participation of key stakeholders, such as priority groups, indigenous peoples and public and private sector organisations, has been under-estimated. It is therefore crucial to adopt a participatory approach that is multi-institutional, multidisciplinary and multicultural, integrating biodiversity and sustainability into urban planning. This approach ensures the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, from institutions to local communities, promoting more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities.

This policy brief presents a comprehensive methodology for implementing bioremediation interventions and creating green and blue infrastructure in the cities that form part of BiodiverCiudades (“biodiverCities”), an initiative led by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). These interventions are designed to improve environmental quality and enhance urban resilience through the restoration of contaminated soil and water, as well as the creation of urban spaces that integrate nature-based solutions. The proposed methodology seeks not only to mitigate the negative effects of environmental degradation and climate change, but also to promote more sustainable and equitable urban development, with a focus on inclusion and community participation.

In Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union she stated that “a home is not just four walls and a roof. It is safety, warmth, a place for family and friends. It is belonging. But for too many Europeans today, home has become a source of anxiety. It can mean debt or uncertainty. The numbers tell a painful truth. House prices are up by more than 20% since 2015. Building permits down by over 20% in five years. This is more than a housing crisis. It is a social crisis. It tears at Europe’s social fabric. It weakens our cohesion. And it also threatens our competitiveness.” 

This is not the first time the housing crisis has been mentioned at a European level. At the 2017 Gothenburg Summit, the EU announced the European Pillar of Social Rights, introducing 20 key principles to make Europe fairer and more inclusive, one of which being housing and assistance for the homeless. This includes ensuring access to social housing or housing assistance of good quality for those in need, appropriate assistance and protection against forced eviction for vulnerable people, and adequate shelter and services to promote social inclusion of unhoused people.  

More recently, in January 2025, the European Parliamentary Research Service published the briefing, A coordinated EU approach to housing, outlining the cost-of-living crisis and the need for increased collaboration on the European scale. While the EU has no direct ability to enact physical interventions when it comes to housing, there are numerous policy and funding schemes in the works that follow principles of subsidiarity, including the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) and a new pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing. There are also considerations for revising state-aid rules to subsidise or provide tax incentives to housing providers, and rules for short-term rentals to tackle a shortage of affordable homes.

In the hills and valleys of Quito, Ecuador, a quiet green revolution has been unfolding for over two decades. The Metropolitan District of Quito’s Participatory Urban Agriculture Project, also known as AGRUPAR, has significantly improved food security, nutrition, and inclusion for thousands of vulnerable children and families across the city.

Despite its success, AGRUPAR faces significant threats from political instability. Shifting priorities and leadership changes can lead to budget cuts, delays, and reduced institutional support. Bureaucratic hurdles and corruption also remain challenges for urban farmers seeking to scale their efforts or secure land and water access.

Still, the project’s resilience lies in its deep community roots and proven impact, making it a model for other cities.

WHY AGRUPAR MATTERS

Quito’s experience shows that urban agriculture isn’t just about food. It’s about equity, inclusion, education, and community resilience. AGRUPAR teaches children to grow food, understand ecosystems, and care for the environment. It helps families stretch their incomes, strengthens social ties, and integrates marginalized communities into the fabric of city life.

By investing in similar programs, cities around the world can transform unused spaces into productive, inclusive, and nurturing environments, especially for their youngest and most vulnerable residents.

iUE’s webinar Soil Functions and Related Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Cities explored the vital role of soil functions in building sustainable urban and regional planning strategies. It featured experts from Latin America and Europe, who gave insights into how soil considerations are being integrated worldwide. The event was organised in collaboration with the SPADES (Spatial Planning and DEsign with Soil) project.

iUE’s webinar Soil Functions and Related Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Cities explored the vital role of soil functions in building sustainable urban and regional planning strategies. It featured experts from Latin America and Europe, who gave insights into how soil considerations are being integrated worldwide. The event was organised in collaboration with the SPADES (Spatial Planning and DEsign with Soil) project.