Land Use Nature Value Calculator LUMA

The LUMA tool we developed integrates nature and land use, making nature information an integral part of planning. This tool helps prioritize and support nature values during the zoning phase. It assists cities and municipalities in safeguarding biodiversity in the built environment, balancing land use goals with the preservation of nature values.

The biodiversity assessment conducted with the LUMA tool considers all nature values and local characteristics within the planning area. If necessary, the analysis can also incorporate the city’s own strategies and plans. The result is practical solutions to support land use planning, decision-making, and interaction.

Illustrating the Environmental Impacts of Land Use Options

The Land Use Nature Value Calculator is primarily designed to guide the placement of construction and help preserve the most important nature values within the planning area. When used at the early stages of a project, the method helps ensure biodiversity preservation and the best possible consideration of legally protected sites. The tool can also be used to compare the environmental impacts of two or more alternative planning solutions, providing calculated differences in the preservation of nature values.

Based on Ecological Compensation Assessment Criteria

The LUMA tool assigns a numerical value representing nature values to each habitat type. This value is based on the ecological condition of the habitat and site-specific nature values. The ecological condition is assessed using the criteria of the ecological compensation model.

Four Phases of Land Use Nature Value Calculation

The biodiversity impact assessment conducted with the LUMA method consists of four components:

• NATURE VALUE CALCULATION – Based on the ecological compensation model, this calculation considers the ecological condition of habitat types and local characteristics.
• PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION PLACEMENT – This method determines the placement of construction that preserves the most significant nature values in the area.
• LUMO ELEMENTS – As part of the method, elements are presented to support biodiversity in the new built environment.
• SUMMARY ANALYSIS – A summary analysis of existing and preserved nature information, highlighting the most important aspects for zoning regulations.

The LUMA tool is designed to be flexible according to the needs and specifics of each project, with the components and their emphasis determined individually for each case.