Climate change and spatial planning regulations: the role of spatial plans in the protection and shaping of green spaces in selected southern European cities

Abstract

The article examines how municipal spatial plans regulate the protection and development of green spaces in selected southern European cities, focusing on regulatory content and links to climate challenges. Seven cities – Athens, Montpellier, Sassari, Setúbal, Bucharest, Bilbao, and Madrid – are compared through analysis of planning documents in terms of definitions, regulations, and integration of green spaces. Findings indicate that varying climate change impacts do not result in different planning approaches. Instead, differences relate to regulatory instruments, integration of strategic objectives, and level of legal detail. The study highlights the key role of spatial plans and challenge of aligning climate goals with tools.