How can landslide hazards be reduced by limiting land use?

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landslide This 1995 landslide at La Conchita, a coastal town in California, swept away a hillside road and destroyed a number of houses.

Limiting land use is a critical precautionary strategy for mitigating the risks posed by landslides to human populations. By restricting development and human activity in areas identified as susceptible to slope failure, authorities can effectively reduce the exposure of people and infrastructure to potential disasters.1

This approach is particularly vital in regions experiencing rapid population and economic growth, where the pressure to build in hazardous zones often increases. When combined with other mitigation efforts—such as installing early warning systems or constructing physical reinforcements like retaining walls—limiting land use serves as a fundamental measure to enhance public safety and minimize the impact of geological instability.1