Application of land-use planning criteria for the control of major accident hazards: A case-study

Abstract

Land-use planning (LUP) with respect to major accident hazards is one of the most important requirements of the Seveso Directive. Different approaches were developed in the Member States of the European Union to implement this aspect of the Directive. This study focused on the comparison of the specific approaches developed for LUP with respect to major accidents hazards. An Italian industrial area was selected to perform a case study. The different LUP criteria were used to evaluate the present state of the area and the effect of several proposed hazard reduction actions. The results obtained allowed a comparison of the different LUP methodologies. Critical steps in the application of the different LUP criteria were identified. The different priorities of hazard reduction actions resulting from risk-based and consequence-based approaches were also highlighted.