National introduction of no net land take: a comparative study of five pioneering countries seeking to limit their land consumption

The ambitious European objective of achieving no net land take (NNLT) by 2050 calls for a radical change in the strategies and instruments of national planning policies. Based on a comparative case study of five pioneering countries, this article analyses the different approaches taken to implement the NNLT goal, drawing on policy cycle theory. It demonstrates that the transfer of the NNLT target is a top-down process that conflicts with land use plans and planning practices at the local level. This research shows that the support and involvement of the local planning level is crucial to effectively reduce land use.