{"id":45969,"date":"2025-11-26T14:36:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/?post_type=blog&p=45969"},"modified":"2025-12-04T10:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T09:30:50","slug":"biodiversity-in-practice-from-loss-to-gain","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/en\/news\/biodiversity-in-practice-from-loss-to-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"Biodiversity in practice: From loss to gain"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Between 2025 and 2040, investments in European infrastructure are expected to reach around \u20ac9 trillion. Sweco\u2019s new Urban Insight report<\/a> shows how the built environment, from roads and tramways to energy infrastructure<\/a> and urban projects, can be designed with nature in mind.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Leveraging Data for Nature-Positive Development<\/h2>\n

Knowledge of nature is a key part of sustainable design and development. Optimising nature inventories is the first step. Ensuring a thorough understanding of species, habitats and ecological interactions allows developers to take the actions needed. Once reliable data is in place, it is crucial to measure biodiversity<\/a> from loss to gain. During the design phase, innovative solutions can be incorporated to avoid, minimise and enhance biodiversity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Using practical examples, the report shows that we can take meaningful steps to ensure infrastructure and biodiversity<\/a> go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

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  1. Kolenspoor cycling highway<\/a>, Belgium:<\/strong> Adaptive lighting, eco-tunnels and recycled materials decrease species impact while revitalising regional mobility.<\/li>\n
  2. Avoiding loss of biodiversity<\/a> and reducing the costs of road construction, Norway:<\/strong> Reusing existing road corridors and protecting peatlands reduces costs, emissions and habitat disturbance.<\/li>\n
  3. Eindhoven municipality’s biodiversity<\/a> efforts<\/strong>: Eindhoven collaborates with organizations, companies, and residents, using Sweco’s nature point maps to scientifically score and enhance biodiversity<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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    With the Kolenspoor project, we show how multidisciplinary collaboration<\/a> drives sustainable, future-proof solutions. This cycling route is not only a mobility corridor but also a model for ecological integration and innovative material use.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Maarten Remans<\/strong>, Team Manager Roads<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    From Awareness to Action<\/h2>\n

    The report demonstrates that when biodiversity<\/a> is prioritised from the start of a project really makes a difference. Early ecological input, cross-sector collaboration and nature-inclusive design<\/a> turn awareness into coordinated, nature-enhancing action. All development projects need to pick up the pace and put biodiversity<\/a> first, aligning policies, budgets and planning frameworks to meet with international biodiversity<\/a> goals.<\/p>\n

    By embracing nature\u2019s complexity and designing for both ecosystems and people, Europe\u2019s infrastructure can, from an ecological perspective, move beyond being a source of environmental pressure to become a driver of restoration, innovation and long-term value creation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Download the report<\/a><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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    \n Stay informed. Urban Insight, straight to your inbox \u2013 subscribe and get latest news about sustainable urban development. Urban Insight offers key learnings based on data, facts and the accumulated expert knowledge from Sweco. As the leading architecture and engineering consultancy in Europe, we draw on an unparalleled knowledge base within our industry. <\/div>\n\n
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