Politecnico di Torino unveils guidelines for avalanche risk assessment and mitigation
In light of the ongoing climate crisis, mitigating the impacts of avalanches has become increasingly crucial—especially considering the effects of climate change in high mountain areas and the resilience of civil structures and infrastructure. Issues such as building collapses, structural damage, and the isolation of entire valleys due to disruptions in transportation routes, energy infrastructure, and telecommunications are all critically important within the broader context of territorial resilience.
It is within this framework that the collaboration between the Department for Regional Affairs and Autonomies (DARA) and the Politecnico di Torino was launched to develop the new “Guidelines for the assessment and mitigation of snow avalanche risk to infrastructure and buildings”. These were officially presented today by Giovanni Vetritto, Director General of the Department for Regional Affairs and Autonomies at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and by Professors Bernardino Chiaia and Barbara Frigo from the SISCON Interdepartmental Center – Safety of Infrastructures and Constructions.
As part of its ongoing focus on high-altitude territories, DARA has long promoted strategic collaborations with institutions, research bodies, and universities to encourage the spread of innovative practices and support joint initiatives for the benefit of local communities, particularly in mountain areas.
Planning risk prevention strategies and infrastructure maintenance, addressing snow accumulation, assessing avalanche risk, and protecting residents, settlements, and infrastructure are critical issues, especially for mayors and local administrators in small mountain municipalities, which are increasingly vulnerable to these challenges.
The research activities were conducted by the SISCON Center and focused on two main areas: the analysis of the dynamic cycle of avalanches (trigger, release, sliding, and impact), and the evaluation of risk levels for buildings and infrastructure, along with the assessment of civil construction resilience against snow avalanches. The methodology adopted follows the principle of “Just Culture”, a reasoned approach that defines an acceptable risk threshold and requires a scientifically sound quantification of risk. This is based on three core components: hazard, vulnerability, and exposure.
“The ambition behind these Guidelines - said Professor Chiaia - is not just to offer an academic contribution, but to serve as a practical policy tool targeted at municipalities, mountain communities, ski resorts, and all stakeholders involved in areas affected by avalanche risk. The goal is to provide concrete, actionable support that can hopefully become a reliable reference for local decision-makers.”