Economic Valuation of Landslide Damage in Hilly Regions: A Case Study from the Flemish Ardennes, Belgium

摘要

Several regions around the globe are at risk to incur damage from landslides. These landslides may cause significant structural and functional damage to public and private buildings and infrastructure such as houses, schools, hospitals, administrative, industrial and commercial buildings, electricity grid, roads, railways and underground cables. Many studies investigated how natural factors as well as human activities control the occurrence or re-activation of landslides. However, few studies have concentrated on the overall damage caused by landslides, particularly in low-relief areas, and on the policy instruments which policymakers can use to prevent further damage. This study therefore aims at developing a methodology to estimate the overall damage caused by landslides in low-relief areas. In this study we combine two economic valuation methods. On the one hand, we estimate the decrease in the value of real estate due to their location in areas with a high landslide risk. On the other hand, we estimate the costs to restore the damage to private buildings and public infrastructure which is caused by landslides. This methodology provides a range of the maximum and minimum economic value of the damage caused by landslides. In addition, we provide an overview of landslide prevention and remediation measures and estimate the associated costs. This methodology will then be applied to the Flemish Ardennes (Belgium), a hilly region susceptible to landslides.