ABSTRACT
The metaphor of “spaceship earth” grew from the Apollo mission photographs of a small Earth rising above a desolate moonscape. Increasing awareness of such issues as biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles coupled with the technology to detect and monitor environmental impacts have contributed to a “greening” of social attitudes as reflected in consumerism and politics. Whilst global issues, such as warming and ozone depletion, have had a high profile in the emerging debate on sustainable development, the implementation of sustainability through the land use planning process at the local level is producing its own challenges. This paper consequently focuses on the planning implications of Principles 1 & 3 of Agenda 21, on sustainable development in the face of geo-hazards; that is, naturally occurring hazards such as earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, subsidence, hurricane, hail and flooding. Special emphasis is given to the role of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and environmental modelling to mitigate against geo-hazards in the land use planning and development process. To re-iterate from Agenda 21 (United Nations, 1992):
Principle 1: Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. Principle 3: The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.
