National scale
Soil is addressed through policy frameworks, regulations, and long-term strategies. At this scale, soil is often considered a finite national resource linked to food security, climate mitigation, biodiversity, and water management. Decisions at this scale shape land take, soil sealing, contamination standards, and agricultural practices.
Regional scale
Soil structures landscapes and ecological systems. Regional planning connects soil types to land-use allocation, water systems, agriculture, nature networks, and risk management (e.g. subsidence, erosion, flooding). Soil becomes a guiding layer for spatial differentiation.
Municipal scale
Soil directly informs zoning, development strategies, and urban expansion. Municipalities balance competing claims on soil: building, green space, infrastructure, and water storage. Soil data can steer densification, locating infrastructures, de-sealing, reuse of excavated soils, and climate adaptation measures.
Neighbourhood scale
Soil is encountered as a physical, living material. Designers work with soil profiles, structure, fertility, contamination, and hydrology. Choices about excavation, reuse, planting, and construction methods have immediate impacts on soil.
This section organises best practices based on the spatial scale at which they are applied - from neighbourhood and district interventions to citywide or regional strategies. Use this to explore solutions relevant to your project’s size and scope.