A large number of inhabited areas are prone to landslide phenomena, due to the accumulation of a series of negative factors. The determination of appropriate places for safe urban development within the community boundaries can be achieved through analysis of the parameters that affect the manifestation and evolution of such phenomena. The outcome of such an investigation is the compilation of detailed maps that define the microzones of different landslide hazard. The investigation that was conducted at the village of Kanalia (Karditsa, Central Greece) is a case study. The following factors and parameters were evaluated:
morphological conditions,
the development, geographical distribution and nature of soil formations,
the spatial distribution and geometry of rocky formations,
the presence of surficial and groundwater and
other factors, such as human intervention.
The analysis and compilation of the data was done on a G.I.S. platform, so that the results can be easily utilized for urban planning purposes and the reduction of potential negative consequences.
The community of Kanalia (Figure 1) lies at the northwestern part of Karditsa prefecture, 12 km west of Karditsa (Central Greece). The village has experienced repeated occurrences by small or large landslides, which have caused severe damage at numerous cases, as for instance in 1982, when several houses were totally destroyed. Within this framework, it was considered useful to conduct research that will aid in the urban planning and expansion of the area through the compilation of a landslide-hazard map, after having taken into account all the factors that contribute to landslide occurrence.
Kanalia is built on the slopes of a range of hills located at the western border of Karditsa plain. The largest part of the village lies at the eastern slopes of the hills, at an altitude of 300 m.
