Landslide Risk Management in the Arno River Basin

Abstract

The Basin Plan is, under the Italian law, the legislative, technical-operational and knowledge instrument used to plan, programme actions, and use regulations for soil conservation, protection and valorisation, and for correct water use in context of the physical and environmental characteristics of the Basin territory (Fig. 1).

In specific terms, the Hydrogeological Management Plan (PAI), approved by the Arno River Basin Authority in 2005, faces the issues concerning landslide risk and geomorphological hazard. The Arno River Basin Authority constantly updates its landslide hazard zonation by identifying landslide prone sites on the basis of the Italian Landslide Inventory Criteria (IFFI project-ISPRA). Moreover, satellite-based radar interferometry detects assets at risk of landslide activity. A procedure that not only allows the maximum level of interplay and coherence between land use planning and river basin planning, but also influences and supports decisions at the different administrative levels. This allows the provisional cost-benefit assessment of landslide risk reduction actions with the general aim of environmental protection and efficient territorial management policy.

Under the European Legislation, that foresees the integrated management of the different basins belonging to each District, National Basin Authorities are assigned a coordination role as regards to the updating procedure of the River Basin District Management Plans, under Directive 2000/60/EC, and the drafting of the Flood Management Plans under Directive 2007/60/EC. This active role envisages the updating of the knowledge framework and data concerning slope instability and landslides. It will result in the consequent updating of the Landslide Hydrogeological Management Plan which is included, like the above mentioned plans, in the River Basin District Management Plan.