Natural disaster
Spatial development glossary, European Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT), Territory and landscape, No 2, published by Council of Europe Publishing in 2007, states: ‘Numerous natural events represent a risk for the living, built and natural environment as they threaten human and animal life and may cause serious damages to settlements. For that reason, human settlements have to be protected, as far as possible, against natural risks through adapted prevention measures. According to their intensity, impacts and damages, these natural events (or hazards) may be considered as natural disasters. A natural disaster is therefore the consequence of the combination of a natural hazard and human activities.’
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