Controlling Land Consumption for Urban Development: - in Light of UN’s SDG 11.3

United Nations (UN) calls on all countries to limit land consumption to an appropriate level. More specifically, the UN asks all countries “By 2030, to enhance [..] sustainable urbanization [..] and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries”, cf. SDG 11.3 To reach this target, it is suggested to use “Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate” as an indicator (indicator 11.3.1).
Some countries have already implemented strategies or other measures to control land consumption – some have even had it for a long time – while others are considering how to approach the challenge. There are basically two different approaches that can be used: a country can determine quantitative provisions, e.g. land take shall be reduced to “less than 30 ha per day”; or more qualitatively oriented political strategies on the reduction of land consumption can be implemented. Most countries that have already implemented measures to control land consumption appear to have chosen quantitative and technical provisions (e.g. set a target "under 30 ha / d"), while only a few countries have chosen an approach with qualitatively oriented political strategies.
The Danish Government has chosen a qualitative approach – starting many years ago. There are definite advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, but the Danish one has turned out to be quite effective. The article will present and analyze Denmark's approach to act as inspiration for countries focussing on SDG 11.3 and indicator 11.3.1.