urban sprawl

Many projects that make use of land can have negative environmental impacts. This includes soil sealing or even degradation of natural soils, for example as a result of the construction of buildings or industrial facilities. Landscape fragmentation by streets and railway tracks is also a problem.

There’s no way around it: all construction has a direct impact on the soil. Depending on the extent of the changes brought about by construction, it can completely or partly destroy vital soil functions. For example, paving over open space destroys natural habitats. Land use resulting in drastic changes in both greenfield land and farmland can be curbed, however.