Abstract
When a site was originally chosen for settlement, geology and geography played major roles. Technological advances of the past century have been a major factor in the growth of urban areas. However, the natural geologic processes of erosion have continued and have been influenced by the work of man. This paper considers both natural and man-induced processes that affect slopes in the urban environment including changes in slope geometry, in piezometric level and in soil strength. Case histories are presented that illustrate these changes and that have generated slope failures. Special problems associated with slope instability in urban areas such as site access, the presence of utilities, the inconvenience to the public, the consequences of the failure and the mobility of the landslide mass, are discussed. The influence of man as a geologic agent can be minimized by preplanning. Governing bodies can decrease landslide problems by taking preventative measures, by zoning and by providing geotechnical and geologic data.
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