Ljubljana

Ljubljana’s green wedges face a combination of soil-related and planning challenges that undermine their ecological and social roles.

• Land take and soil sealing are key threats, with urban development - especially in areas like the Šiška wedge - encroaching on spaces meant for nature and agriculture.

• Soil quality is compromised by illegal truck parking, informal land uses, and invasive species that reduce habitat quality and alter soil composition.

• These areas are vital for climate adaptation, helping with water retention, heat stress mitigation, and carbon storage, while also offering space for recreation, urban farming, and beekeeping.

Planning issues are tightly connected to these pressures:

• Balancing densification, sustainable mobility, and nature restoration requires strategic planning.

• Urban agriculture offers potential for sustainable food systems, but spatial planning tools often fall short.

• Limited by private land ownership and weak regulation, stronger instruments - like mandatory green space indexes - are needed to better protect and manage these critical areas.

Ljubljana has a real opportunity to advance soil-conscious spatial planning. With growing awareness of the environmental and social value of green spaces, there is momentum to better protect non-sealed land, improve soil performance and integrate nature into urban life. These opportunities align with broader goals such as climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems. Strengthening planning tools and land use regulations can help ensure that green wedges continue to function as vital infrastructure for a more resilient city.

The SPADES project aims to facilitate a valuable exchange of knowledge and share best practices on soil-conscious spatial planning. Strengthening the legal framework with clear criteria for the protection of soil and unsealed areas and improving the management of green spaces are key priorities. Effective solutions will require the cooperation of many stakeholders, including the City of Ljubljana, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, investors and landowners, NGOs and local community groups. By integrating soil protection measures into land-use planning and promoting innovative solutions in cooperation with stakeholders, the SPADES project has the potential to strengthen the role of Ljubljana's green wedges - in particular the pilot area of the Šiška green wedge - as vital environmental and social assets for the future sustainable development of the city.