Assessment of natural hazards in urban planning policies of the municipalities in the province of Alicante (Spain). Legislation and risk mapping

Urban spaces have become prone territories to the economic losses and loss of human life during extreme natural episodes. This is due to the accumulation of population and activities in urban areas and poor urban planning, which has not taken into account, until very recently, the problem of natural hazard and their territorial effects in the process for allocating of land uses. The aim of this research is to analyze the degree of fulfilment of the obligation to incorporate risk maps in documents of urban planning in the province of Alicante since 2008. Therefore, the information available on the websites of municipalities and in the College of Architects of Alicante on the subject of spatial planning and natural hazards has been consulted in order to check treatment carrying out urban management plans approved since this year until today. As conclusion, it should be noted the small number of municipalities that have approved new urban planning and the lack of interest and the reduced detail in the sections of risk analisys in that urban plans at the local level.