SPADES (Spatial Planning And DEsign with Soil) focuses on securing soils in spatial developments, as part of the Mission A Soil Deal for Europe. Researchers are tackling this in seventeen locations in Europe. SPADES will develop, test and implement soil-inclusive practices in spatial planning and design.
This will be done by bringing the eight Soil Mission’s objectives of improving soil health (1-6), reducing global footprint (7) and improving soil literacy (8), together with spatial concepts, approaches and solutions. These include the performance (ecosystem services) of soil to create more healthy, resilient and soil-aware (and nature-based) societies in urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Europe. The consortium will innovate by operationalising the integration of spatial planning and design processes with soil to contribute to a healthy Soil-Sediment-Water system, which is of utmost importance for Europe’s sustainable future.