NNLT and ‘spatial optimisation’ in Wallonia: addressing the challenge of compensation for downzoning

The research synthesized in this contribution has been undertaken in Wallonia. More precisely, these regional studies have been conducted to assist the regional government in its commitment to limit urban sprawl. This article is structured into four sections. The first section introduces the issue of oversupply in regional land use plans, while the second section presents the ‘spatial optimization’ strategy. The remainder of the article explores two approaches aimed at achieving the NNLT goal while avoiding financial compensation, without revising the downzoning compensation framework. The third section analyzes the implications of implementing the centrality approach, which overlays a new form of zoning onto the existing regional land use plans and functions similarly to Urban Growth Boundaries. The fourth section examines an alternative strategy for reducing the financial impact of downzoning: the removal of legally buildable areas that do not meet the statutory requirements for compensation.