Publications

The briefing 'Operation Softening' looks at how paving in Flanders has evolved between 2013 and 2021 and what underlying trends are driving it. The increasing share of paved surfaces means that the challenge of softening in Flanders is growing. A look is given at how this softening challenge can be translated to the reference regions. It also looks at the potential for softening and the regions' current efforts.

Nature is our ally in solving all kinds of social problems. This was well understood by the researchers of the URBiNAT (2018-2023) project, focusing on upgrading underdeveloped urban neighborhoods, through the co-creation of Nature-Based Solutions. By combining physical and infrastructural - green - solutions with social and economic practices, this project aims to create collective awareness and contribute to a better understanding of human and ...

Trees play a key role in several societal challenges. Like icebergs, they do much more than their visible top or crown suggests. They are natural and free air conditioners, they purify the air, provide underground carbon storage and biodiversity, and fulfill a scenic or social role in villages and cities. Moreover, they provide a green counterbalance to the increasing use of space in Flanders, something that could be experienced at first hand ...

Flanders is one of the most paved regions in Europe and soil sealing is still increasing every day. Hence, the associated negative effects for open space functions are an important challenge. First, we must prevent additional soil sealing. In addition, it is important to restore the cohesion and quality of the open space by actively reducing soil sealing. In order to reduce soil sealing efficiently and effectively, we need to gain insight into ...

The term "natural capital" refers to the stock of all renewable and non-renewable resources: raw materials, soil, water, air... which together provide a range of benefits to humans. Just think of food production, energy or building materials. Due to intensive use, the pressure on natural capital is very high and the balance threatens to tip towards unavailability, degradation or exhaustion. In order to a balance between the supply of nature and ...

Gardens are an important link in the green-blue veining and play a strategic role in supporting local quality of life. They can contribute to the provision of ecosystem services, to its users and to society. In Flanders, more than 10% of the surface area is occupied by private gardens. Until recently, reliable, systematic and integrated basic data on gardens were lacking. The GARMON (The GARrden MONitoring) proof-of-concept study aims to provide ...

This document describes the basic data and methodology for the creation of the Soil Cover Map Flanders 2015 and related derived datasets. The methodology for creation is applied in accordance with the methodology applied for the Flanders 2012 Soil Cover Map.

The Flemish open space is increasingly taking on a broader social role. Agriculture, nature, forest, recreation and water all find their place here. Sometimes functions occur side by side, often a multifunctional use of space is presupposed. Challenges related to climate change and energy transition are also creating a growing role for open space as a location for additional forests, renewable energy, carbon storage, water infiltration or ...

Private gardens occupy a large part of Flanders. This large network of green spaces has great potential for providing various ecosystem services and increasing biodiversity. For example, gardens can contribute to better pollination, or provide a habitat for fauna and flora. In our increasingly hot summers, they can provide cooling and at the same time ensure water buffering and infiltration in the event of heavy rainfall. Some well-located ...

A liveable and resilient society needs open space. The open space is home to a variety of activities: agriculture, energy, etc. It also provides important services such as water management, food supply and recreation. A certain scale is needed for open space to provide this diverse range of services. Nevertheless, hardening and fragmentation is still increasing in Flanders. What evolutions do we expect? Even today we are still cutting ...