The Strategic Environmental Evaluations (EAEs) are a promising tool for assessing the environmental impact of land-use plans, but could be broadened to evaluate the overall impact of urban growth on environmental performance and quality of life. Air pollution should be tackled through disincentives on car ownership, which may mean redesigning municipal revenue streams that significantly depend on vehicle taxes. Minimising natural hazards, notably flood risk, calls for a more comprehensive approach to managing storm-water drainage and mitigating the expansion of impermeable surfaces in urban areas. Mechanisms to offset biodiversity losses should be integrated into the EAEs.