The urbanisation on the slopes of SARAJEVO and the rise of geomorphological hazards during the post-war period

Abstract

Within the interdisciplinary field of urban geomorphology, scholars have recently paid attention to the increasing vulnerability of landscapes, due principally to the construction of housing and infrastructure. With regard to the case of Sarajevo and more specifically the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, historically, its particular geographic setting has maintained a central role in the spatial distribution of its population, with residential areas exposed to potential geomorphological hazards. Urbanisation on the slopes of Sarajevo was resumed after the Bosnian War (1992–1995) in areas with steep slope gradients. This was a consequence of the impossibility or unwillingness of those internally displaced, sheltered in Sarajevo during the conflict, to return to pre-war homes. Thus, this paper explores the political, social and economic factors that have influenced both the historical process of urbanisation on the slopes, surrounding the central areas of the city, and its subsequent reproduction during the post-war period. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the exposition of these urbanised slopes to potential geomorphological hazards. Moreover, the extent of urbanisation on the slopes will be quantified in five study areas for periods between 1987–2003 and 2003–2015. It precedes the evaluation of the geomorphological vulnerabilities of constructions developed in these sites. Finally, corrective measures are proposed in the current process of elaboration of the new Urban and Strategic Plans.