The treatment of landslides

There are 4 strategies in dealing with landslides: avoidance, correction, desensitization and acceptance. The avoidance strategy involves the relocation of elements at risk to a less hazardous location. Correction as a strategy means the treatment of the underlying source of danger. Where the underlying problem cannot be addressed (eg earthquakes), it may be more practical to reduce the susceptibility of the elements at risk by appropriate construction technologies (use of building codes which cater for seismic effects). This is an example of the desensitization strategy. When a community adopts the acceptance strategy it might be rational acceptance, in which the risks are understood but are offset against the benefits to the community, or it might be poverty led acceptance. This study describes a number of examples of each strategy drawn from both the UK and abroad. Where stabilization is necessary, there are a variety of options, some of which give rise to an ongoing maintenance commitment in contrast to those that provide a once and for all solution. (Abstract quotes from original text)