On Friday 31 January, the conference “The uses of the territory. Regional, urban and metropolitan planning” was held. Speakers talked about the importance of spatial planning in a context of climate change and environmental crisis. This is the planning and management of the land and infrastructure uses based on the wise use of limited resources and the defence of common good, are crucial tools to mitigate the climate change process and to adapt society to its effects.
They insisted that both mitigation and adaptation strategies should be apply evenly, and should be based on scientific evidence. They also called on the public authorities in their duty to promote knowledge and information about environmental processes.
In line with the recommendations, they explained that territory must be understood as an ecosystem in which priority is given to the maintenance of ecological processes and population’s quality of life. Public institutions must complete, update and strengthen the current territorial and urban planning. Moreover, spatial planning must be focused on cities and metropolitan areas, since this is where the main part of the population is concentrated. Metropolitan areas require coordination and governance tools to improve citizen’s living conditions.
The panel discussion came to an end with the necessary actions for the reconstruction of territories affected by natural disasters. This reconstruction needs to rethink the sustainability of existing land uses and to adapt its design and location to the environmental requirements and socio-spatial equity, as well as to avoid exceeding the limits imposed by nature. In order to make all this recommendations possible, the experts called for political will to put the public at the centre and prioritize citizens physical safety and well-being.
In this panel discussion participated Oriol Nel·lo, Julia Salom, José Vicente Sánchez, Ivan Murray and Joan Vicente.
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