Improving Landslide Risk Responses (SafeLand)

Overview 

The SafeLand project developed a better understanding of landslide triggers, better methods for identifying high-risk areas, and improved early warning systems. The project also created risk-management and mitigation processes for communities living under the threat of landslides.

During the last century more than 16,000 people were killed by landslides in Europe and property damage topped €1.2 billion. With climate change expected to bring more extreme weather and faster mountain snow melts, the number of landslides is predicted to increase.

SafeLand provided improved landslide risk assessment and management tools, as well as mitigation strategies, to local, regional, and European policymakers. The research also provided insights into future risk patterns by analyzing global changes due to both climate change and human activity.

SafeLand researchers created an array of analytical tools that will allow responses to landslide threats to be based on specific, local needs.

IIASA Research

As a way of testing these tools, IIASA researchers led a participatory and communication process in the southern Italian town of Nocera Inferiore, which is at high risk of landslides. The town has €7 million available to implement a recommended €30 million worth of landslide prevention and protection measures. IIASA researchers worked to integrate the technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects of the problems faced by residents to develop better risk management strategies.

Project Reports

Last edited: 16 August 2017