Hazard assessment in Switzerland – Codes of Practice for mass movements

More than 6% of Switzerland is prone to slope instability. New federal regulations require regional authorities (cantons) to generate natural hazard maps and the zoning of mass movements to restrict development on hazard-prone land. The paper discusses the proposed three-step procedure of hazard identification, hazard assessment and risk management. The Codes of Practice concerning the hazard maps involve the standard use of three colours (red, blue and yellow) to indicate areas of prohibited construction, construction with certain safety requirements and construction without restriction. Electronic Publication