Environment diagnosis for land-use planning based on a tectonic and multidimensional methodology

Area of Science:

• Geosciences
• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Land-use planning (LUP) requires a robust diagnostic phase to understand the physical environment.
• Tectonic depressions and flat-slab segments present unique challenges for LUP due to underlying geological structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a methodology for defining Environmental Units (EUs) for land-use planning based on tectonic structures.
• To investigate the influence of structural geology on various components of the physical environment.

Main Methods:

• Geophysical methods were employed to study tectonic structures.
• An exhaustive analysis of multiple dimensions of the physical environment was conducted.
• The methodology was tested in the Tulum Valley and Bucaramanga case studies.

Main Results:

• A significant relationship was found between observable surface environmental elements and tectonic structures.
• Tectonic structures effectively defined Environmental Units (EUs) in both case study areas.
• The proposed method allows for a comprehensive environmental assessment for land-use recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Defining Environmental Units based on tectonic factors is a viable approach for land-use planning in active tectonic zones.
• The methodology facilitates understanding the land's reception capacity for proposed activities and land uses.
• This approach aids decision-makers in managing socio-natural risks within communities.