Possible spatial impacts of natural and other disasters on the development of the wider urban area of the Gorenjska region

A wider urban area is a functionally connected gravitational zone encompassing one or more centers, characterized by daily population movements that generate significant traffic flows. It forms the core of functional urban areas, within which conurbations facilitate functional linkages between centers (SPRS 2050, 2023). In Slovenia, 11 wider urban areas have been officially defined. This paper examines the potential impacts of natural and other disasters on the development of the wider urban area of the Gorenjska region and the region as a whole. Some natural disasters stem from the effects of climate change, while others result from extreme weather events, earthquakes, or even potential terrorist activities. In certain cases, disasters may be triggered by a combination of factors, such as exceptional precipitation, pronounced temperature fluctuations, and seismic activity. To our knowledge, no comprehensive study has yet been developed to assess the vulnerability of the region's space and environment to natural and other disasters during peacetime. Additionally, there is a lack of a theoretical and methodological framework for integrating preventive spatial planning into disaster resilience strategies. This contribution serves as an initial step toward filling that gap.