Urban planning decisions profoundly affect animal welfare by determining the quality and connectivity of green spaces, the presence of wildlife-friendly infrastructure and the extent of habitat loss from development.
Urban planning shapes the welfare landscape for wildlife over decades. A housing development that eliminates hedgerow habitat removes food and shelter for dozens of species; one designed with embedded green infrastructure and wildlife connectivity creates welfare-positive outcomes for the same species. Biodiversity net gain requirements are welfare-positive planning policy if implemented rigorously — requiring that development leaves wildlife genuinely better off rather than simply less worse off. Planning advocacy for wildlife welfare requires early engagement with local plans and development proposals before decisions are made, as retrospective mitigation is rarely as effective as integrated design.