Implementation strategies for ecological infrastructure

With the specialist planning of ecological infrastructure (EI), the cantons are facing a new planning process. In order to develop this further together, the cantons of Aargau, Bern and Zurich have launched the innovation project ‘Ecological Infrastructure Mittelland’. In co-management with Fridli Marti (Quadra Mollis GmbH), we were able to accompany this innovation project over a period of four years.

In the first phase of the project, a comprehensive toolkit was developed to support cantonal specialist planning. The aim of the second phase of the project, which has now been completed, was to provide concrete support to the cantons in implementing their specialist planning.

To this end, practical application proposals, examples from implementation and various working bases were developed. The content developed is based on several sub-projects that have been implemented in recent years in collaboration with various partners. In thematic areas such as agriculture, settlement and forestry, it was demonstrated how spatial planning can be integrated into existing instruments and processes. Other sub-projects supported the cantons in communicating their sectoral planning – for example, through the use of standardised language, templates for handouts and examples of how to publish ÖI products on cantonal geoportals.

All the products, principles and inputs developed are available in one place on the project website www.öim.ch and offer valuable support for the further development and implementation of ecological infrastructure in the cantons.