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

International audience ; Biodiversity is often overlooked in urban planning, where projects tend to prioritize aesthetic or economic considerations over ecological ones. This research explores how biodiversity can be better integrated into urban development through planning incentives and regulatory frameworks. Using a comparative case study approach, the study examines three urban projects in England, France, and Japan—each representing different governance models and policy contexts. The analysis draws on qualitative interviews with key decision-makers and reviews of urban plans, design documents, and biodiversity metrics. Results show that England’s mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy provides a clear national framework but may limit flexibility in design, while France and Japan rely on more localized and voluntary tools that encourage creative, site-specific biodiversity integration. Across cases, key incentives include the early involvement of ecologists in design teams, flexibility in planning regulations, and linking biodiversity goals to broader social and economic benefits. The study concludes that effective biodiversity integration requires both regulatory guidance and adaptive local implementation, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration and recognition of biodiversity’s multi-benefit value in urban contexts.