Strengthening biodiversity and promoting high-quality landscapes are key goals at every level of government. But how can they be achieved, especially in the mostly densely built-up and growing metropolitan areas? We analyzed which planning instruments could contribute to achieving these goals and how they interact in metropolitan areas. As a result, we were able to define four approaches aimed at developing integrated quality goals, implementing more projects, improving the ability of metropolitan areas to take action, and strengthening these areas over the long term.