At a glance
Dutch provinces appoint Atos to accelerate urban planning while protecting biodiversity and adhering to conservation compliance goals — cutting permit delays and enabling nature-inclusive growth.
Outcomes
- 40% faster permit approvals through early species detection
- Protected Natura 2000 habitats and endangered species
- Enabled nature-inclusive urban zoning and green corridors
- Improved compliance, stakeholder trust, and planning efficiency
Challenges
Assessing ecological impacts
The client was under growing pressure to accelerate urban development while meeting strict biodiversity protection mandates. Legal obligations under the Nature Conservation Act required early identification of protected species, but existing processes were slow, fragmented, and risked non-compliance.
The client needed a smarter, faster solution to assess ecological impact before construction began — one that would reduce delays, ensure legal adherence, and support their vision for sustainable, nature-inclusive growth aligned with national and EU conservation goals.
Solution
Leveraging Atos' scalable BeSI platform
Atos delivered the Benthic Protected Species Indicator (BeSI) platform — a powerful, intuitive tool that enables early detection of protected species in development zones. By integrating ecological intelligence with spatial planning workflows, BeSI empowers provincial authorities to make informed decisions quickly and confidently.
Atos not only overcame challenges in data harmonization and usability but delivered a scalable solution aligned with national conservation standards. The result was accelerated planning, reduced risk, and a future-ready platform that supports biodiversity and sustainable development.
Results
Protecting what matters the most
BeSI transformed ecological planning for Dutch provinces. Permit processing times dropped by 40%, biodiversity loss was prevented, and legal compliance was ensured. The platform enabled nature-inclusive urban development, supported Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 13, and 15, and enhanced climate resilience.
Stakeholder trust improved, collaboration between planning and environmental teams strengthened, and the provinces gained a strategic edge in sustainable growth. With Atos, the client moved faster, smarter, and greener, delivering measurable impact and long-term value.