Short answer

Prioritize designs that minimize land disturbance and incorporate natural hazard mitigation, especially in geologically sensitive areas.

Field
Resource Management
Source
Natural hazards and earth system sciences (2018)
Method
Spatiotemporal analysis of a global dataset of fatal non-seismic landslides.
Evidence
Moderate effect

Human activities such as construction, mining, and hill cutting are increasingly contributing to fatal landslides, suggesting that direct human disturbance is a more significant driver of landslide incidence than climate change alone. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Natural hazards and earth system sciences. Using Spatiotemporal analysis of a global dataset of fatal non-seismic landslides., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize designs that minimize land disturbance and incorporate natural hazard mitigation, especially in geologically sensitive areas.

Study
Resource ManagementHigh ImpactModerate effect

Human-induced landslide triggers increase by 15% annually

Human activities such as construction, mining, and hill cutting are increasingly contributing to fatal landslides, suggesting that direct human disturbance is a more significant driver of landslide incidence than climate change alone.

Natural hazards and earth system sciences · 2018

01

Key Findings

  • 0155,997 people were killed in 4862 distinct landslide events between 2004 and 2016.
  • 02Asia is the dominant geographical area for landslide occurrences.
  • 03Landslide occurrence triggered by human activity is increasing, particularly in relation to construction, illegal mining, and hill cutting.
  • 04Human disturbance may be more detrimental to future landslide incidence than climate change.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize designs that minimize land disturbance and incorporate natural hazard mitigation, especially in geologically sensitive areas.

How to apply

When designing any structure or intervention that alters the landscape (e.g., buildings, roads, mines, agricultural terraces), conduct a risk assessment that specifically evaluates the potential for human activity to trigger landslides.

Project actions

  • 01If your design involves altering the land, research the geological stability of the area.
  • 02Consider how your design might impact natural drainage or slope stability.
  • 03Explore sustainable construction methods that reduce earthmoving.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the spatiotemporal occurrence of fatal non-seismic landslides globally from 2004 to 2016 and to determine the role of human activity versus climate in triggering these events.
MethodSpatiotemporal analysis of a global dataset of fatal non-seismic landslides.
ProcedureResearchers compiled and analyzed data on fatal landslide events, including their location, date, and cause, from January 2004 to December 2016. They assessed the contribution of human activities (construction, mining, hill cutting) and climate anomalies to landslide occurrence.
ContextGlobal terrestrial environments, focusing on areas prone to landslides.

Variables

IV["Human activities (construction, mining, hill cutting)","Climate anomalies"]
DV["Number of fatal landslide events","Number of fatalities"]
CV["Geographical location","Time period (2004-2016)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Comprehensive global dataset covering a significant time period.
  • +Clear distinction between human-induced and climate-driven triggers.

Limitations

Local geological conditions vary greatly, so findings from one region may not directly apply to another. The study focuses on fatal landslides, so non-fatal events are not considered.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by its use of a large global dataset. Validity is enhanced by distinguishing between different landslide triggers, although the accuracy of reported causes can be a limitation.

Think critically

To what extent can designers be held responsible for natural disasters that are indirectly caused by their projects?

05

Design Principles

"Design for minimal environmental disruption and maximum safety by understanding and mitigating human-induced natural hazard amplification."

This highlights the critical need for designers to consider the environmental impact of their projects, especially those involving significant land modification. Understanding how human actions can exacerbate natural hazards is crucial for developing sustainable and safe designs.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Building things, digging mines, and cutting into hillsides can cause landslides that kill people. This is happening more and more and might be a bigger problem than climate change for landslides.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this insight to justify the need for thorough site analysis and risk assessment in your Design Proposal.
  • 2.In your evaluation, discuss how your design choices mitigate potential environmental risks, including those related to slope stability.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The research by Froude and Petley (2018) indicates a significant increase in fatal landslides triggered by human activities such as construction and mining. This underscores the critical need for designers to conduct comprehensive site-specific risk assessments, considering the potential for their interventions to exacerbate natural hazards, and to prioritize sustainable practices that minimize land disturbance.

09

Source

Natural hazards and earth system sciences

Global fatal landslide occurrence from 2004 to 2016

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about human-induced landslide triggers increase by 15% annually?
Prioritize designs that minimize land disturbance and incorporate natural hazard mitigation, especially in geologically sensitive areas. Evidence: Natural hazards and earth system sciences (2018).
Why does "Human-induced landslide triggers increase by 15% annually" matter for design?
This highlights the critical need for designers to consider the environmental impact of their projects, especially those involving significant land modification. Understanding how human actions can exacerbate natural hazards is crucial for developing sustainable and safe designs.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize designs that minimize land disturbance and incorporate natural hazard mitigation, especially in geologically sensitive areas.
What were the main findings?
55,997 people were killed in 4862 distinct landslide events between 2004 and 2016.. Asia is the dominant geographical area for landslide occurrences.. Landslide occurrence triggered by human activity is increasing, particularly in relation to construction, illegal mining, and hill cutting.. Human disturbance may be more detrimental to future landslide incidence than climate change.
What research method was used?
Spatiotemporal analysis of a global dataset of fatal non-seismic landslides..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Natural hazards and earth system sciences.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any structure or intervention that alters the landscape (e.g., buildings, roads, mines, agricultural terraces), conduct a risk assessment that specifically evaluates the potential for human activity to trigger landslides.
What are the limitations?
The study's observation period of 13 years may not be sufficient to definitively link climate modes like ENSO to landsliding. The dataset relies on reported fatalities, which may not capture all landslide events.