On 11 December 2024, the University of Trento hosted a hybrid workshop on ‘The Contribution of Soil Restoration in Urban Areas to Achieving the Targets of the Nature Restoration Regulation’, as a part of SOLO’s international Soil Week events. 

The event explored the relationship between nature restoration and soil restoration in urban areas, focusing specifically on soil de-sealing and nature-based approaches to regenerating brownfield sites. The discussion addressed the following questions: 

1. What contribution can soil restoration in urban areas (including de-sealing and the reclamation of contaminated soils) make toward achieving the targets set by the Nature Restoration Regulation? 

2. How can policies and strategies that address soil health and nature restoration in urban environments be interconnected, and what benefits would this bring? 

3. Can nature-based solutions serve as a unifying concept for soil and nature restoration approaches, providing multiple ecological and socio-economic benefits in urban areas?

The questions were developed based on knowledge gaps identified by SOLO’s ‘Pollution and Restoration’ Think Tank, whose objective is to reduce pesticide pollution in soil and enhance restoration. 

The workshop provided an opportunity to align the objectives of the ‘Pollution and Restoration’ Think Tank with stakeholder expertise by discussing soil restoration’s role in the Nature Restoration Regulation. It identified key knowledge gaps, bottlenecks, and actionable solutions, fostering collaboration between international and local researchers. These discussions contributed to SOLO’s mission by generating insights into soil management practices and advancing policy tools for sustainable urban planning. One of the discussed solutions involved generating data and evidence on soil, which will enhance our understanding of soil science and spatial planning.

The activity raised awareness of the ecological, social, and economic benefits of soil restoration in urban areas. By sharing findings with researchers, policymakers, and urban planners, the workshop increased the potential for the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. The focus on practical solutions and local examples, such as the Milan and Prato case studies, demonstrated real-world applications, enhancing the societal relevance of the discussions. Interactive elements, like collaborative discussions and feedback opportunities, further fostered deeper engagement with the research outcomes.

Key insights included gaps in technical tools for remediation, socio-economic impacts of soil restoration, and policy tools for de-sealing and brownfield regeneration. Additionally, reflections on regional case studies provided practical examples of soil reuse and de-sealing initiatives. 

The audience, comprising international researchers and local experts, showed strong interest and enthusiasm for the workshop's content. Their focus on addressing knowledge gaps and exploring practical applications reflected a positive reception. The integration of both international and local perspectives strengthened the workshop's credibility and relevance.