The ecological challenge as an opportunity and Input for innovative strategies of integrated planning

The current complex challenges brought about by development, the need to make it increasinglysustainable and the human origin of the environmental crisis require an integrated ecological approach thatmay combine seemingly different aspects, which, actually, are closely linked to each other. Since theconcepts of sustainability, resilience and inclusiveness, as qualities of cities and human settlements, areamong the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Goal 11), the real ambitiouschallenge is to start synergic collaborations between ecology, economy, legislation, spatial planning andterritorial governance and society, trying to pave the way to circular economy and to a widespread cultureof sustainability. In this context, the green economy is a must for spatial and urban planning in order toturn challenges into extraordinary opportunities of regeneration and safeguard of cities and territories,above all of those which are more at risk and environmentally deteriorated. Many European cities havestarted policies, programmes, and innovative actions that include projects combining regeneration andadaptation, invest in the natural capital, promote green infrastructures and more sustainable mobility, andimprove the effective use of resources. This paper deals with the above-mentioned issues and examines thepossible developments of an integrated ecological approach in ordinary spatial planning.