Plus Change

Zaanstreek-Waterland (NL)

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Nitra City (SK)

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Flanders (BE)

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Kaigu peatland (LV)

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Parc Ela (CH)

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Lucca (IT)

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Green Karst (SI)

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Three Countries Park (DE, BE, NL)

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South Moravia (CZ)

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Surrey (UK)

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Île-de-France Region (FR)

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Mazovia Region (PL)

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Planning Land Use Strategies: Meeting biodiversity, climate and social objectives in a changing world

PLUS Change is funded by the Horizon Europe programme and aims to develop strategies and decision-making processes for land use that effectively address challenges related to climate change, biodiversity, and human well-being.

The project encompasses interventions across diverse political, economic, societal, material, and cultural contexts, involving actors at multiple decision-making levels including the individual, land management, planning, and policy levels. Its objective is to generate knowledge and drive transformative change towards a sustainable world.

Welcome to Circuville!

The sustainable society that is already possible today and hopefully will be realised tomorrow. Choose one of the five different characters in this audio-visual story and discover the circular world of today and tomorrow.

Click on the image below to learn more!

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Planning a Healing Garden in a Psychiatric Hospital in Hungary

This blog post was contributed by PLUS Change Ambassador Katalin Rethy and Bea Pántya, and is part of our series featuring personal accounts from our Ambassadors. These blogs offer first-hand reflections on the challenges and opportunities shaping land use planning across Europe and beyond.

Empowering Women Cheesemakers in Bosnia & Herzegovina: Protection of indigenous dairy products

This blog post was contributed by PLUS Change Ambassador Miljan Erbez and is part of our series featuring personal accounts from our Ambassadors. These blogs offer first-hand reflections on the challenges and opportunities shaping land use planning across Europe and beyond.

PLUS Change in Depth: Intervention points to unlock more just and sustainable land use decision-making

While policies set bold climate and biodiversity targets that include land use transformation, the change remains limited without effective ways to intervene in decision-making systems.

PLUS Change in Depth: Political Economies of land use change – Lessons from across Europe

In this article, we spotlight some of the insights from our recent work on political economies of land use decision-making in twelve European cases by investigating the relevant policies and actors.

Capacity Workshop: Innovative approaches to justice & participation in land use planning

On May 26th, PLUS Change hosted the first online Capacity Building Workshops. These events are designed to share the tools, frameworks, and creative methods developed through our project, empowering spatial planners, policy actors, researchers, and community advocates to apply them in their own contexts.

Interview: Why the climate crisis demands we rethink our relationship with the land

In a recent interview with Kate Williams of Alter, project coordinator Julia Leventon of CzechGlobe discussed the PLUS Change project, explaining how we chose our Practice Cases, some of the challenges of transforming our planning systems, the importance of including underrepresented voices in decision making, and much more!

Science Fair 2025: Engaging kids & students in shaping a sustainable future

On 5-7 June 2025 CzechGlobe, the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), participated in the Science Fair 2025 (Veletrh vedy), the largest popular educational science event in the Czech Republic.

Workshop 3: Île-de-France Region

As part of PLUS Change, the Île-de-France Region has spent the past two years reimagining land use planning with a stronger focus on climate, biodiversity, and quality of life. Following two earlier workshops – the first workshop initiating discussions on core land use challenges with key stakeholders and the second workshop focusing on constructing narratives of land use change – the third workshop was held in February 2025.

Roma Women, Land, & Environmental Injustice: Reclaiming Agency in Toxic Landscapes

This blog post was contributed by PLUS Change Ambassador Marina Csikos and is part of our series featuring personal accounts from our Ambassadors. These blogs offer first-hand reflections on the challenges and opportunities shaping land use planning across Europe and beyond.

Socially just development for land use 

This blog post was contributed by PLUS Change Ambassador Esmeralda Wirtz and is the first of a series of blogs featuring personal accounts from our Ambassadors. These blogs offer first-hand reflections on the challenges and opportunities shaping land use planning across Europe and beyond.

Seminar Series: The Story of PLUS Change – Conflicts and synergies in our normative futures

In the second seminar of our series, the Story of PLUS Change, the project team came together to explore why and how land use decision-making is a challenge in a changing world.

PLUS Change General Assembly in Riga

The PLUS Change project held its second General Assembly in Riga, Latvia from May 13th to 15th, 2025. Hosted by the Baltic Studies Centre (BSC), the event gathered project partners from across Europe to assess progress, strengthen collaboration and connections between work packages, and define next steps—aiming to begin shaping results and driving meaningful impact.

Open Call: Capacity Building Workshop

This three-hour capacity-building workshop aims to share PLUS Change methodologies that support equitable decision-making in land use planning. Through interactive discussions and group activities, we will explore how to embed a justice framework in land use planning, techniques for innovative community engagement, and approaches for art-based research.

Workshop 3: Drivers of Change

Prior to Workshop 3, Workshop 1 introduced the project to relevant stakeholders in the Practice Cases, initiating discussions on core land use challenges, while Workshop 2 focused on constructing narratives of land use change and tracing the historical evolution of these transformations. Building on these foundations, Workshop 3—held in December 2024 and January 2025—shifted the focus to well-being and values as key drivers of land use change, using causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to guide discussions and insights.

PLUS Change In Depth: A trip into Possible Landscapes

Have you ever thought about how we could live with our land? Not just use it, but really live with it? Possible Landscapes x PLUS Change was all about that: imagining ways to make our landscapes more sustainable, inclusive, thriving.

Successful First Multiplier Cluster Workshop

On January 16, 2025, the PLUS Change project hosted its first Multiplier Cluster (MC) workshop, bringing together stakeholders from across Europe to explore the role of Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) in land use policy and planning.

Seminar Series: The Story of PLUS Change – Land use (decision making) challenges in a changing world 

In the first seminar of our series, The Story of PLUS Change, the project team came together to share their diverse perspectives on land use challenges in a changing world.

PLUS Change In Depth: Spotlighting the role of System Maps in land use change research

Understanding and navigating land use strategies is complex considering the natural, social, economic, and political nature of the current problems at hand. The issues are further compounded by the involvement of multiple stakeholders, each bringing diverse perspectives and objectives. Additionally, aligning these strategies with local, national, and EU regulations adds another layer of intricacy to the process.

Workshop 2: Narratives of Land Use Change

Over the course of the PLUS Change project, several multi-actor, participatory workshops are planned for each Practice Case. Tailored to the unique contexts of each area, these workshops are designed to facilitate an ongoing process of transdisciplinary co-creation with stakeholders.

PLUS Change In Depth: Changes in land cover over time – what does the future hold?

Land use in Europe has been relatively stable over the past decades, but this is set to change in the future. Driven by different policies aimed at promoting sustainability across different sectors, land use in Europe could undergo rapid transformations. These policies—spanning energy production, agriculture supply, and biodiversity conservation—can impact land cover both directly and indirectly.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 20: Leuphana

In the twentieth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce The Leuphana University Lüneburg, located in Germany.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 19: Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR)

In the nineteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, lead partner for the practice case of Three Countries Park (3LP).

Workshop 1: Green Karst

On the 17th of April 2024 we held the first workshop in the frame of the PLUS Change project. The event was integrated with the introduction to regional spatial planning in our region, which is starting this year.

PLUS Change General Assembly in Brussels

The PLUS Change project held its first General Assembly in Brussels, Belgium, from May 27th to 29th, 2024. Hosted by the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij, the assembly brought together all 23 project partners for a series of productive discussions and collaborative sessions.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 18: Surrey County Council (CC)

In the eighteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Surrey County Council, practice case of Surrey, in the United Kingdom.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 17: the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG)

In the seventeenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the South Moravian Agency for Public Innovation (JINAG), lead partner for the practice case of the South Moravian region, in Czech Republic.

Workshop 1: Surrey

Workshop 1 was held in a community setting in Ashford, Surrey, aligning with their ongoing work with Natural England as part of a pilot for a Health, Wellbeing, Nature & Sustainability toolkit.

Meet the Advisory Board: Tibor Hartel

The PLUS Change Project has welcomed its fourth Advisory Board member, Tibor Hartel, an ecologist specialised in human-nature connections.

Workshop 1: Flanders

On March 20th, Flanders held its first workshop, led by the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 16: Île-de-France Region (FR)

In the eighteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Île-de-France Region.

Workshop 1: Île-de-France

On March 29, 2024, Practice Case Île-de-France hosted its first workshop with stakeholders from the region. The workshop served to introduce the PLUS Change project and begin the process of identifying key actors to champion the integration of climate change, biodiversity, and human well-being into local land-use planning.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 15: The Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM)

In the fifteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM), Flemish Land Agency, lead partner for the practice case of the Flanders, in Belgium.

Meet the Advisory Board: Siddharth Sareen

The PLUS Change Project has welcomed a third Advisory Board member, Siddharth Sareen. As an interdisciplinary social scientist, he specialises in the governance of energy transitions.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 14: The Mazovian Office of Regional Planning (MBPR)

In the fourteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Mazovian Office of Regional Planning (MBPR), for the practice case of the Mazovia Region.

Workshop 1: Nitra City

On 24 January 2024, Nitra Practice Case held its first workshop, attended by 40 stakeholders from a range of backgrounds.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 13: Verein Parc Ela

In the nineteenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce Parc Ela, located in Switzerland.

PLUS Change In Depth: Raising awareness of ethics, equity and justice in land use change processes

As part of Work Package 1 dedicated to supporting transdisciplinary integration, Guido Caniglia and Marina Knickel of the KLI team are now guiding the project partners’ to reflect and learn whether and how issues of ethics, equity and justice are considered in land use change processes.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 12: RRA Zeleni Kras

In the twelfth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce PRA Zeleni Kras, practice partner with the region Green Karst.

Possible Landscapes kicks off in Amsterdam

The Possible Landscapes sessions have kicked off in our Practice Cases, starting with Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA), hosted by the Vrije Universiteit and centered around the Zaanstreek-Waterland region.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 11: Provincia di Lucca

In the eleventh edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Provincia of Lucca, the representative authority of our Italian Practice Case.

Meet the Advisory Board: Sarah Velten

The PLUS Change Project recently welcomed two external advisory board members who will provide guidance throughout the project, offering their knowledge and expertise on topics related to sustainable land use. In this post, we introduce Sarah Velten, an environmental scientist working in the fields of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

Meet the Advisory Board: Marjan van Herwijnen

The PLUS Change Project recently welcomed two external advisory board members who will provide guidance throughout the project, offering their knowledge and expertise on topics related to sustainable land use. We begin by introducing Marjan van Herwijnen, a senior project expert specialised in territorial analysis.

Workshop 1 launches in Practice Cases

The PLUS Change workshops have begun in our Practice Cases! This first round of workshops brings together relevant stakeholders to introduce the project and start discussions on key land use challenges in each of the Practice Case areas.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 10: KnowlEdge SRL (KE)

In the tenth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce Knowledge SRL (KE), an environmental consultancy headquartered in Italy with an international presence.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 9: University of Ljubljana (UL)

In the ninth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Landscape as a Living Environment research group, from the University of Ljubljana (UL), in Slovenia.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 8: Baltic Studies Centre (BSC)

In the eighth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Baltic Studies Centre (BSC), located in Riga, Latvia.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 7: UKF Nitra

In the seventh edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Constantine the Philospher University (UKF Nitra), located in Slovakia.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 6: The Institute for Urban Excellence

In the sixth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the ISOCARP Institute, an urban think tank based in the Hague.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 5: Centre for Systems Solutions

In the fifth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Centre for Systems Solutions (CRS).

Open Call: Seeking Applicants for the PLUS Change Ambassadors of Change programme

We are looking for individuals to join our Ambassador programme, contributing to discussions on equitable land use and how land use planning can be used to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 4: The VU Institute for Environmental Studies

In the fourth edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Institute for Environmental Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (IVM-VU).

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 3: KLI

In the third edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI).

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 2: Plan4All

In the second edition of our series, PLUS Changers in the Spotlight, we introduce Plan4All, a non-profit association with a mission to advance open data and open-source technologies in spatial and urban planning.

PLUS Changers in the Spotlight 1: CzechGlobe

Welcome to the first edition of PLUS Changers in the Spotlight. In this series, we introduce each of our partners and their roles within the project. To kickstart the series, we begin by introducing our lead Partner organisation, CzechGlobe.

PLUS Change Project Launch & Kick off Meeting 

The PLUS Change project—Planning Land Use Strategies: Meeting biodiversity, climate and social objectives in a changing world—a collaborative Horizon Europe project involving representatives from 14 countries and 23 institutions, commenced with a highly successful kick-off meeting held in Prague from June 12th to 14th.