Abstract:
Since the end of the last century threats to the sustainable development of the natural social system have been determined by the regime, rhythm, increased frequency and intensity of a number of extreme natural phenomena and processes related to climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic impacts. In the present article, special attention is paid to different methodological approaches for identification of areas threatened by dangerous floods. The application of Directive 60/2008 of the EC dominates the studies so far. Primary zoning of potential river floodplains prone to flooding from the three basin directorates in our country was carried out on this basis. The methodology applied for the plain territories is not particularly effective for low-mountainous and mountainous regions and their municipalities. The central segment of the Pre-Balkans, subjected to permanent pressure from extreme manifestations of dangerous climatic processes and phenomena in the range of the Stara planina orogenic chain, was chosen as a representative region of such research. The recent article implements an up-to-date scientifically-based methodological approach that integrates paleogeographic information and statistical data for a realistic and objective assessment of the dangers, vulnerability and multi-risks from extreme floods and genetically related mud-stone flows. The place and role of the principles of actualism, which dominate the methodological approaches and methods in the study of natural geosystems, are highlighted. For the long-term stabilization of mountain municipalities, a more comprehensive, scientifically based and integrated paleogeographic methodological approach is proposed for assessing the flood dangers and vulnerability and the resulting multi-risk as for making effective management decisions at municipal level.