Impacts of climate change on natural hazards and land use in the Saas and Zermatt Valleys (Switzerland)

[摘要] The aim of Swiss land use planning is to guarantee anexpedient and economical use ofthe land and an orderlydevelopment of the country. Therefore. land use planning has to designate areas suitable for optimal economic development. The possiblility of climate change posesa special challenge for land use planners. This paperexamines the implications of environmental change resulting from climate change and anticipates new zonesof conflict between existing and future land uses in theSaas and Zermatt Valleys (Valais. Switzerland). Differences between the «reul-time» decisions of plannersand the possible development of nsks and changes predictedby scientists are key factors examined in this paper. Furthermore, this paper investigates the legal implications of land use planning under conditions ofclimatic uncertainty. Particular emphasis is given lo thevarious ways natural dangers can be taken into accountat the levels of the «cantonal» general plan, communalzoning plan and the issueing of building permits. Finally, this paper recommends the establishmenl of «bullerareas» or zones of potential high risk as precautionarymeasures and Highlights the fundamental necessit) ofrisk communication for natural hazard control.

[学科分类] 自然科学（综合）