Integration of environmental instances in the planning process and the sustainable land development are major objectives. The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of ecological network concept in the formulation of new solutions of land development. A focus on the creation of a regional ecological infrastructure in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (Italy) was presented. The ecological network was defined as a sum of parts aimed to specific targets: conservation of natural areas of high value, restoration of areas threatened, development of new lines to implement the regional ecological network. Problems associated with their identification were also discussed.
