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Use of Biodiversity data in decision making: the SITxell Project
Published on 07 May 2018
Spain
Cataluña
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The aim of the initiative is to foster a new territorial analysis and organisational strategy based on a multidisciplinary view of the territory, its potential and its fragilities, incorporating existing knowledge. Also to develop a cascade planning model (territorial organisation plans, master plans, town plans and management plans) based on a new concept and basic common information.
The SITxell project promotes the use of the informatio related to territorial analysis (geology, hydrology, botany, zoology, ecology, socio-economics, agronomy, town planning) both from independent groups of experts (university research centres, private consultants social organisations, etc.) and inside the administration itself for the socioeconomic development compatible with the preservation of ecosystem services essential for the maintenance of human welfare. Nowadays, we are channelling these planning purposes through the implementation of green infrastructure at local and regional scales.
The ultimate aim is to transform this expert information into knowledge that can easily be applied to territorial analysis, planning and management, to be used by all competent public administrations. So, the application of a concept and common information at the different levels and areas of territorial organisation promotes governability through concurrent, agreed planning mechanisms and substantially increases the effectiveness of public administration and the sustainable use of the territory.
The SITxell project promotes the use of the informatio related to territorial analysis (geology, hydrology, botany, zoology, ecology, socio-economics, agronomy, town planning) both from independent groups of experts (university research centres, private consultants social organisations, etc.) and inside the administration itself for the socioeconomic development compatible with the preservation of ecosystem services essential for the maintenance of human welfare. Nowadays, we are channelling these planning purposes through the implementation of green infrastructure at local and regional scales.
The ultimate aim is to transform this expert information into knowledge that can easily be applied to territorial analysis, planning and management, to be used by all competent public administrations. So, the application of a concept and common information at the different levels and areas of territorial organisation promotes governability through concurrent, agreed planning mechanisms and substantially increases the effectiveness of public administration and the sustainable use of the territory.
Expert opinion
The project is a very inspiring and successful example of using accurate information about the ecological and socioeconomic values of natural areas in land use policies. On a technical level it is a cartographic database, which helps with the study, analysis and planning of the open areas. An important advantage of SITxell tool is its applicability in land planning processes, on both local and regional level. The involvement of various levels of government, academia and private sector have ensured the quality of information and objectivity of the analysis. All these features of the tool contributed to its success, wide use and international recognition as a good practice. SITxell tool can be easily transferred to other regions due to its flexibity and adaptability.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Around 2 M€ were needed during first years (2003-2010) to acquire information through agreements with research centres. Nowadays, 50.000 €/year are needed to update information. One internal GIS expert is on charge of the system.
Evidence of success
SITxell has been used in land planning of in more than 100 municipalities. Recent plans have defined of Local Green Infrastructure. For protection purposes, it has been used in spatial plans for protected areas and for strategic plans (hydrology, agriculture). In regional planning SITxell analysis and purposes have been the basis for the definition of areas of special protection. SITxell website receives more than 50.000 visits/year, and thousands of downloads of data layers of information.
Potential for learning or transfer
Because of its flexible, adaptable nature, the concept behind the project can be applied to any region, simply adapting it to the particular features and information available. This is why the SITxell initiative has been taken as a reference for territorial analysis with direct application to planning throughout Europe. For this reason, the project has been presented at many seminars, congresses or master’s degree programmes in Europe (France, Italy, Denmark, Holland and the United Kingdom, as well as at international organisations such as the IUCN, EUROPARC, Eurosite), has been nominated as a finalist for the EPSA 2011 awards and has won first prize of the United Nations 2012 awards in the category “Improving knowledge management”.
SITxell has also been taken as an example of good analysis and territorial planning practices by the European Union as part of the “Green Infrastructure” initiative (Interreg Project Greeninfranet)
SITxell has also been taken as an example of good analysis and territorial planning practices by the European Union as part of the “Green Infrastructure” initiative (Interreg Project Greeninfranet)
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Barcelona Provincial Council
Spain
Cataluña
Contact
Natural Areas Expert