Spanish Technology and Research Center Launches New Methodology for Urban Green Infrastructure Planning

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 20, 2026, the Spanish technology and research center Tecnalia Research & Innovation launched a new European methodology tool aimed at helping cities across Europe identify and prioritize areas in need of urban green infrastructure (Urban Green Infrastructure). The tool provides local governments with an operational assessment system to objectively evaluate natural needs in urban environments and, based on this, determine specific actions for integrating nature-based solutions and ecological networks, thereby promoting the development of more sustainable, healthier, and more climate-resilient cities.

Headquartered in the Basque Country, Spain, Tecnalia is one of Europe's leading applied research and technology development centers, with deep technical expertise in areas such as sustainable construction, urban resilience, climate change adaptation, and the circular economy. The center has long participated in multiple research projects under the EU Framework Programmes, dedicated to transforming scientific results into actionable policy tools and industrial solutions. The methodology released this time is a systematic integration of its years of research achievements in the field of urban ecological planning.

The methodology is designed around a modular structure, comprising six functional modules that can be flexibly configured and adjusted according to the size of different cities, data availability, and specific needs. To lower the barrier to application, the research team simultaneously developed an online user manual, providing full-process operational guidance for municipal departments, regional planning agencies, and other relevant entities. The methodology has been tested and validated in six cases representing different European urban realities, including Târgu Mureș (Romania), Jastrebarsko (Croatia), Imola (Italy), Sopot (Poland), Tampere (Finland), and Roeselare (Belgium). The test results for each case can be accessed via interactive data dashboards and thematic reports.

The application scenarios for this tool cover the development of Urban Nature Plans, the formulation of climate change adaptation strategies, improvements in sustainable transport and accessibility, and the enhancement of citizen health and well-being. Additionally, the tool helps implement the requirements of the EU Nature Restoration Law, providing data support and decision-making basis for the formulation and implementation of national ecosystem restoration plans.

The urban green infrastructure planning methodology released by Tecnalia provides European cities with a replicable and scalable standardized planning tool, helping to drive the transition of urban ecological planning from experience-driven to data-driven scientific decision-making, which is of positive significance for the EU-level goals of urban nature restoration and climate adaptation.

This tool provides local governments with a practical assessment system capable of objectively analyzing natural needs in urban environments and determining a priority action list, thereby improving the integration of green spaces, nature-based solutions, and ecological networks within cities. The methodology is designed to cover different European cities and peri-urban areas, applicable regardless of city size or existing information levels. Its architecture consists of six modules, allowing the implementation process to be adjusted according to the specific characteristics and needs of different regions.

To facilitate promotion, the project team has developed an online user manual for reference by interested municipal authorities, regional management bodies, and related entities. The methodology has been tested and optimized in six cases representing different European urban realities, including Târgu Mureș, Jastrebarsko, Imola, Sopot, Tampere, and Roeselare. The relevant test results can be viewed through interactive data dashboards and individual city reports, demonstrating the tool's effectiveness in analyzing green infrastructure needs and guiding subsequent actions.

This methodology can support municipal authorities in preparing Urban Nature Plans and can also be used as an urban planning tool in areas such as climate change adaptation, sustainable transport, accessibility, and improving citizen health. Furthermore, the tool helps implement the EU Nature Restoration Law (Reglamento de Restauración de la Naturaleza de la Unión Europea), providing key information for the design and implementation of national ecosystem restoration plans.