Abstract

Alpine mountain-lowland transition zones (MLTZ), where diverse urban, agricultural and natural systems meet, face increasing urbanization, land take, habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Despite available planning strategies promoting nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecological connectivity (EC), spatial planning authorities in these regions still lack effective instruments and targeted approaches for implementation. PINO addresses this gap by co-designing and testing biodiversity-oriented spatial planning (BSP) tools that embed multifunctional green-blue infrastructure (GBI) in land-use decisions and improve EC. PINO contributes to Priority 1, SO1.2 by piloting biodiversity restoration tools, applying NbS to enhance air, water and soil quality, fostering their integration into land-use and spatial planning policies (SPP). PINO builds BSP capacity of regional/local planning authorities, providing guidance on how to effectively incorporate them in multi-level and multi-criteria decision making. PINO addresses regional and local planning department in MLTZ and Alpine governance networks via co-design, pilot testing, peer learning and policy uptake ensuring transferable usability and institutional anchoring. 

WP1 sets a transnational knowledge framework on BSP in MLTZ while activating Alpine-wide stakeholders and regional pilots.

WP2 focuses on co-design and testing of targeted BSP tools in six pilot regions in AT/DE/IT/FR/SI.

WP3 ensures policy integration and uptake via training and expert dialogues with EUSALP, Alpine Convention and AlpPlan Network. PINO delivers: a) RCO116: PINO Toolbox of BSP for inter-municipal and local use; b) RCO84: Pilot actions co-developed and tested with regional planning authorities.

The project also supports RCR104 by fostering institutional uptake. PINO promotes adaptive, replicable and long-term spatial planning actions that conserve, restore and manage ecosystems while enhancing biodiversity, ESS and sustainable land use.

Partenariato

• Lead Partner (LP): Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing
• Partner (PP): ifuplan - Institute for Environmental Planning and Spatial Development GmbH & Co. KG
• Partner (PP): University of Udine
• Partner (PP): Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
• Partner (PP): Slovenian Forestry Institute
• Partner (PP): Autonomous Region Friuli Venezia Giulia-Central Directorate for Infrastructure and Territory
• Partner (PP): Metropolitan Area of Grenoble
• Partner (PP): University Würzburg
• Partner (PP): Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility and Planning

Importo del progetto

Durata

• Data inizio: 01/06/2026
• Data fine:   31/05/2029
• 36 mesi

Link

https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/pino/