# Incentivizing biodiversity: a comparative insight from urban planning in England, France, and Japan.

Sayaka Yoda, Marie Asma Ben Othmen

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Sayaka Yoda, Marie Asma Ben Othmen. Incentivizing biodiversity: a comparative insight from urban planning in England, France, and Japan. The 4th Society for Urban Ecology World Conference Cities Under Global Social Transformations: Embracing Change for a Greener Future, Jul 2025, Istanbul, Turkey. *hal-05319880*

HAL Id: hal-05319880

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Submitted on 17 Oct 2025

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# Incentivising Biodiversity: Comparative Insights from Urban Planning in England, France, and Japan

Author: Sayaka Yoda, UniLaSalle, Master of Science in Urban Agriculture and Green Cities / Co-Author: Marie Asma Ben-Othmen, UniLaSalle, INTERACT UP 2018.C102, Mont-Saint-Aignan 76130, France

## INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity is often overlooked in urban planning, greening of project sites being an afterthought with aesthetic purposes rather than contribution to the local ecosystems. In this global context, this research explores incentives for the private sector to integrate biodiversity into their development projects. This research is based on a comparative analysis of best practice case studies from three countries: England, France, and Japan. These countries have varying levels of policy restrictions to ensure integration of biodiversity at the site level and this study compares the drivers behind the private sector's decision making process that led to positive biodiversity impacts under each policy context. Data collection was done through qualitative interviews with key decision makers of the project team members and analysis of relevant documents.

## CASE STUDIES AND METHODOLOGY

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>England<br>Mandatory biodiversity 10% net gain (BNG)<br>at national level</th><th>France<br>No national law, but existing optional tools at<br>local level</th><th>Japan<br>No national law, but existing tools at local<br>level</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th>Name of site</th><td>Old Ford Plant, London</td><td>Corbeville, Plateau de Saclay</td><td>Otemachi Tower and Forest, Tokyo</td></tr><tr><th>Project's key<br>information</th><td>Project's start year: 2024;<br>Total area: 1.08ha; Water treatment<br>plant, a nature reserve turned into a park<br>operations centre, and HQ for the maintenance<br>office.</td><td>Project's start year: 2019;<br>Total area: 18ha; Agricultural land prone to<br>flooding turned into a mixed use (offices,<br>residences, research centres, parks, small<br>commerce, outdoor activity space, parking, etc.).</td><td>Project's start year: 2009;<br>Total area: 11,037.84m2; Two office<br>buildings demolished and turned into one<br>building (offices, hotel, commercial) and a<br>forest.</td></tr><tr><th>Key<br>interventions for<br>biodiversity</th><td>The architects maximised their environmental<br>impact and BNG by making minimal<br>interventions to existing buildings and<br>enhancing the natural qualities on site.</td><td>The team designed a nature-based solution, to<br>create an ecosystem aimed at an efficient flood<br>management system. They also negotiated for<br>flexibility in restrictions to prioritise more<br>biodiversity.</td><td>The team used an urban planning tool<br>allowing them to maximise both the building's<br>volume and the forest area, thereby, securing<br>the forest's maintenance costs.</td></tr><tr><th>Indicators for<br>impact on<br>biodiversity</th><td>18.66% increase in biodiversity based on BNG<br>calculations.</td><td>The project has not yet been completed, but with<br>the proposed forests prioritising biodiversity, it is<br>likely that there will be a significant net gain in<br>biodiversity in comparison to the current<br>agricultural land.</td><td>117 species planted at time of construction / 208<br>plant species observed 7 years after<br>construction / A total of 129 species of insects<br>and 13 bird species observed (as of 2023) / 1.7<br>degree decrease in temperature onsite, post-<br>development</td></tr><tr><th>Urban planning<br>guidelines and<br>regulations<br>applied</th><td>National policy of the BNG; Queen Elizabeth<br>Olympic Park Biodiversity Action Plan<br>2019-2024; LLDC Local Plan (2015 – 2031);<br>Greater London Authority (2018); London<br>Environment Strategy</td><td>Local Urban Plans of Saclay and Orsay</td><td>Otemachi, Marunouchi, Yurakucho District Plan;<br>Special Urban Renaissance District</td></tr><tr><th>Method: experts<br>interviewed and<br>documents<br>analysed</th><td>Project's lead ecologist; ecological studies of<br>project site, architectural project proposal<br>booklets, project site assessment, relevant<br>policies and urban plans</td><td>Lead urban planner/project manager; project<br>proposal booklets, project websites, relevant<br>policies and urban plans</td><td>Project's architects with urban planning and<br>environmental expertise; scientific journal<br>articles, architecture magazine articles,<br>company websites, relevant policies and urban<br>plans</td></tr></tbody></table>

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Source: Green Infrastructure Consulting

Source: UAPs

Source: Michel Desvigne Paysagiste (left) / Otemachi Forest (right)

## RESULTS - KEY INCENTIVES

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>

## DISCUSSION

* Policies like BNG in England ensure baseline compliance, but flexibility and creative freedom through urban tools, like in France and Japan, could maximise impact for biodiversity.

* More interest in biodiversity by urban planners can be spurred by linking it to other benefits and interests (economical benefits, awards, public perception, etc.) and by education.

## CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

* Blend mandatory policy with optional, flexible tools to create a wide range of options to encourage integration of biodiversity and creative solutions.

* Recognize biodiversity in project evaluation & award schemes to encourage urban planners to consider more biodiversity.

* Support interdisciplinary teams early in design.

Email: sayaka.yoda@gmail.com