Location: Madrid, Spain

Objective: preserve nature values in a highly populated expanding metropolitan area

Problems: lack of an indicative map and lack of legal status of ecological network means that conservationists and planners are powerless in their struggle with developers

Solutions: spatial urban planners often show a positive attitude towards integrating ecological networks in their plans

Results: The lack of support for ecological networks at the same time that a fast urban and infrastructure development is taking place, has resulted in a weakening of the coherence of the regional network of protected areas

Critical factors of success:

Key learning points: in densely populated areas, planning taking into account ecological connectivity is only possible with a sound legal backing of the concept of ecological networks

Actors: Madrid regional government, municipalities

Communication: none

Financing: none