Ecological connectivity within spatial planning in Slovenia

Abstract

After a few decades of integrative spatial planning, in which the principles of landscape planning were also considered, Slovenia has progressively renewed its spatial planning system, which set aside many good solutions in the field of integrative planning. Today, there are no explicit references to ecological connectivity in the legislation and, consequently, there are no explicit data or solutions on this issue in municipal and national spatial plans. But some sectoral guidelines exist that include some relevant data and demands concerning ecological connectivity and have to be taken into consideration (only) in certain areas. The existing practice shows that, to a great extent, consideration of biodiversity, nature elements, landscape values etc. depends on the awareness and knowledge of landscape and natural processes by the municipality/state and by spatial planners. However, in terms of the integration of landscape planning principles into the spatial planning and with regard to ecological connectivity, the new legislation adopted in 2017 is somewhat more promising than the former ones.