In different European countries, the objective of reducing the artificial use of land is already reflected in land use regulations in very different ways. In some countries, national policies to limit land take have given rise to debates rarely encountered by those involved in urban planning[1], involving charges and counter-charges like favouring  "attacks on the countryside", the "race to unbearable densities" or the "inability to meet the needs of industry". This report aims to explain the debates that could arise from this policy in its various stages of implementation (the definition of the objective of no land take, the administrative and technical tools designed to implement it, and land take's impact on the actors of the urbanisation process) and the solutions that have been found - or not - to alleviate these difficulties. 

The report is not designed to say everything about the no-net land take policy in Europe but to give a clear view of the different political options that are available to achieve this objective in terms of implementation, operationalisation, and, finally, appropriation. As a result, the report is not a set of "best practices". Instead, it seeks to give a clear understanding of the main administrative, economic, political or social constraints and drivers influencing the implementation of No Net Land Take (NNLT). 

The report is the final delivery of the ESPON project [NNLT] No Net land take: policies and practices in European regions