IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section B

Abstract

The planning and construction of infrastructure corridors in Europe generate numerous conflicts between nature conservation and development. Experts from various fields involved in this process—planners, transport engineers, and environmental and nature protection specialists—often have diametrically opposing views, which do not contribute to the effective planning of infrastructure corridors. The main issues arising during the planning of these corridors and new transport routes are landscape and habitat fragmentation, leading to increased wildlife mortality and a decrease in population numbers within protected areas. Therefore, it is essential to define measures to mitigate these conflicts by involving all stakeholders early in the planning process through workshops, roundtables, surveys, and interviews. Furthermore, incorporating the youngest members of society into this participatory process can add significant value. Through the INTERREG project “ConnecGREEN: Restoring and Managing Ecological Corridors in Mountains as Green Infrastructure in the Danube Basin”, scientists from five Carpathian countries (Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia) and 12 institutions have aimed to reconcile conflicting perspectives and enable collaborative development of a methodology for identifying ecological corridors and ensuring their consideration in future spatial planning.
This paper will focus on the participatory processes conducted for this purpose, as well as the modalities for engaging stakeholders in both online and offline settings.