Revision of the soil sealing concept and urban typology proposal

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review the concept of soil sealing and highlight the different methodological approaches used in the EU and especially in Spain. The soil sealing concept has developed from merely physical standpoint (compacted and impermeable soil) to be considered a serious anthropogenic environmental problem, and with mitigation options, as they destroy the vital functions of soil and adversely modifies the ecosystem. This paper proposes unifying methodological criteria, highlighting at least the area affected by territorial unit (municipality, autonomous community, region or country) and most convenient scale in each case. Considering the impact of soil sealing on the environment are proposed typologies for differentiating large cities, from the more invasive to the best adapted to the environment.