Improving the Role of Land Use Planning for Reducing Existing and Future Risks

Based on the outcomes of three European Research Projects - FP6 Armonia project, FP7 Ensure and Know-4-drr projects - the paper provides advanced tools for guiding planners and decision-makers through the difficult path addressed to identify and evaluate the different components of existing risks as well as to assess the impacts of alternative land use planning choices on risk levels. In detail, first a methodological framework driving planners and city managers through a comprehensive assessment of the different aspects of vulnerability, resilience and risk, considering both spatial and temporal scales, is outlined. Then, the skeleton of a decision support system capable to support the mainstreaming of risk knowledge and assessment into land use planning processes in order to effectively evaluate compatibility among land uses, existing hazards, exposure, vulnerabilities, and resilience is provided. Such a tool constitutes a relevant bridge between risk analysis and decisions regarding zoning, critical infrstructure location and urban design requirements: it represents a first step for developing a comprehensive knowledge management system - capable to integrate available knowledge developed in different fields, by a variety of stakeholders, including local communities – and for providing the ground for better informed decisions both in risk management and in land use planning.