From contaminated soils to soil health: pollution, functions and resilience

At a time when soils are facing increasing pressure from urbanisation, persistent pollution and the effects of climate change, the issue of their protection, sustainable management and restoration has now become a key concern for public health, the environment and spatial planning.

In Belgium, this awareness is nothing new. Legislation on contaminated land has been in place for over 30 years in Flanders, over 20 years in Brussels and over 8 years in Wallonia. Over the decades, the three Regions have developed their own regulatory frameworks, technical tools and operational practices, whilst facing common challenges. At the same time, they have implemented numerous initiatives relating to soil health, well before the recent adoption of the European directive on soil monitoring and health. These include, in particular, the Good Soil strategy in Brussels, bodemzorg in Flanders and the Walloon Soil Quality Index (IQSW) in Wallonia, which demonstrate a clear commitment to viewing soil as a living, multifunctional and strategic resource.

Work is currently underway in all three regions to transpose the European directive, involving in-depth consideration of how to harmonise approaches, strengthen monitoring and incorporate the latest scientific findings. This process marks an important milestone: the role of soil is finally being recognised for its true value, not only as a foundation for development, but also as a key lever in the fight against the effects of global warming, whether in terms of carbon sequestration, water regulation, biodiversity or the mitigation of urban heat islands.

It is against this rapidly evolving regulatory, scientific and societal backdrop that the Intersoil 2026 conference will take place in Brussels on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December 2026. This event will bring together researchers, experts, public authorities, engineering consultancies and practitioners to discuss current and future challenges relating to soil, with a view to fostering international and interdisciplinary dialogue.

The first day will be devoted to soil pollution, with an overview of the situation across the three regions and a review of developments in the regulatory framework. The afternoon will focus on emerging pollutants, particularly PFAS and microplastics, the presence of which in soil and groundwater raises major challenges in terms of sampling, analysis, standards, human health risk assessment and treatment methods. The day will conclude with a round table discussion on PFAS, facilitating the exchange of scientific, technical and institutional perspectives.

The second day will take a more comprehensive approach to soil management, particularly in urban areas. Discussions will focus on soil condition monitoring, de-sealing, technosols and the management of excavated soil. A round-table discussion will open the debate on soil health assessment, a key issue for guiding public policy and development projects. The afternoon will be devoted to the prevention of soil degradation, particularly in the context of construction sites, as well as to restoration methods, including techniques for treating and decompacting degraded soils.

Through this programme, Intersoil 2026 aims to build on decades of regulatory experience in Belgium, promote existing regional initiatives and actively contribute to greater recognition of soil as a key pillar of the ecological and climate transition.

On 3 and 4 December in Brussels, Intersoil 2026 will offer a unique opportunity to meet the key players at the heart of these developments.

It is this challenge that the 6th edition of Intersoil, organised in partnership with Brussels Environment, invites you to take on.

We’d love to hear your feedback!

 

▬ 5 major themes ▬

①  Soil pollution and regulatory frameworks

• An overview of contaminated land
• Feedback and reviews
• Changes in legislative and regulatory frameworks
• Challenges relating to implementation and inter-regional consistency

② Emerging pollutants: identifying, measuring and managing

• PFAS and microplastics in soil and groundwater
• Sampling and analysis methods
• Standards, threshold values and uncertainties
• Assessment of risks to human health and the environment
• Treatment techniques and innovative solutions

③ Soil monitoring, diagnosis and health

• Soil condition monitoring plans
• Indicators and methods for assessing soil health
• Soil as a living, multifunctional resource
• Links between soil quality, human health and regional resilience

④ Sustainable soil management in urban areas

• Removing waterproofing from floors
• Technosols: design, performance and limitations
• Management and reuse of excavated soil
• Incorporating soil considerations into urban and planning projects

⑤ Prevention and restoration of degraded soils

• Preventing soil damage on construction sites
• Good practices in site management
• Methods for treating degraded soils
• Techniques for soil decompaction and the restoration of soil functions