International Symposium on Mitigative Measures against Snow ...

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Symposium</strong> on Mitigative Measures against Snow Avalanches
Egilsstaðir, Iceland, March 11–14, 2008
Figure 3 Steel snow bridges in an unsatisfactory condition; implemented in 1960–1970
o Strict regional planning based on Hazard maps started too late in Austria and is still
not fully implemented. Responsible for regional planning are the Federal Counties and
a uniform consideration of Hazard maps is not guaranteed. The legal basis for hazard
mapping is different within organisations.
o The number of houses has increased very rapid also in Yellow hazard zones because
of the economic development of many Alpine valleys.
o The first generation of hazard maps contained in many cases too small hazard zones.
Revision of hazard maps because of new regulations and new methods normally
shows a larger extent of hazard zones.
o Speed and extent of economic development caused by tourism was not expected nor
predictable.
There are no comprehensive statistics about endangered values in Austria, but such statistics
exist for buildings situated in hazard zones in the Federal County of Tyrol. These statistics are
provided by the Regional planning office of the Federal County of Tyrol and includes all
buildings with house numbers. The size of houses and the number of people which are living
in the houses is not yet known.
Table 1 Number of houses in Tyrol in Avalanche and Torrent hazard zones.
Total number of buildings in Tyrol 167 383
Number of buildings in Hazard zones 21 119 (12,6 %)
Number of houses in Avalanche zones 933 (Red) 1 725 (Yellow)
Sauermoser 111