Pro Natura: The new landscape concept still has room for improvement
Pro Natura supports the update and has actively participated in its preparation. After more than 20 years, the Swiss Landscape Concept is being revised. However, the draft, which is still open for consultation until September 15, is not binding enough for cantons and municipalities.
The Swiss Landscape Concept (LKS) is a central spatial planning instrument of the federal government. It is intended to ensure that the federal government, cantons and municipalities plan their building activities in such a way that nature and the landscape are protected.
The new version of the LKS is based on a comprehensive understanding of landscape. According to this, landscape is also characterized by the diversity of valuable natural and near-natural habitats and their spatial interconnectedness. Pro Natura welcomes this very much. However, it is incomprehensible that the updated LKS does not contain any requirements for the conservation of endangered animal and plant species.
Landscape protection in all policy areas
It is gratifying that the LKS obliges the federal authorities to include the concerns of landscape protection in all policy areas. However, such binding rules are also needed for the fulfillment of tasks that lie within the competence of the cantons and municipalities.
Furthermore, the updated LCS must in no way serve as a substitute for the development of Switzerland's ecological infrastructure. The latter is urgently needed, as it is one of the most important measures for the conservation of biodiversity.
