Species Protection and Planning - A critical analysis of the implementation and application of Article 12 and 16 of the Habitat Directive in Germany and Denmark
Author
Holland, Marie Christin Johanna
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2026
Pages
210
Abstract
This thesis examines how the Habitats Directive’s Article 12(1) on strict protection of Annex IV species and Article 16(1) on derogations are implemented and applied in Germany and Denmark, where urban development and infrastructure expansion intensify the need to balance conservation and societal demands. Drawing on multi-level governance, the study analyses national legal transposition through document analysis and uses comparative case studies (including Lynetteholm and Stuttgart 21) combining document analysis with semi-structured interviews with authorities and practitioners. Across both countries, the findings point to mechanisms that can strengthen species protection: national codification of EU soft-law instruments, clear national guidance and standardisation, and a generally supportive planning culture. Despite the existing framework, EU reporting still shows many species in an unfavourable conservation status, underscoring the need for more effective implementation and practice in planning.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan habitatdirektivets artikel 12(1) om streng beskyttelse af bilag IV-arter og artikel 16(1) om dispensationer omsættes til praksis i Tyskland og Danmark, hvor pres fra byudvikling og infrastruktur kræver en balance mellem naturhensyn og samfundsbehov. Med udgangspunkt i multi-level governance analyseres den nationale retlige forankring gennem dokumentanalyse, suppleret af komparative casestudier (herunder Lynetteholm og Stuttgart 21), der kombinerer dokumentanalyse og semistrukturerede interviews med myndigheder og praktikere. På tværs af landene peger resultaterne på mekanismer, der kan styrke artsbeskyttelsen: national kodificering af EU’s soft law-instrumenter, klare nationale retningslinjer og standardisering samt en generelt understøttende planlægningskultur. Trods eksisterende regler viser EU-rapporter fortsat overvejende ugunstig bevaringsstatus for mange arter, hvilket understreger behovet for mere effektiv implementering og anvendelse i planlægningen.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords