Contenu du sommaire

ENG : Western Alps! Monviso! ice avalanche! glacier hazards.

ENG : expert system! natural hazard! avalanche.

Tardiglacial and Holocène evolution of glaciers and vegetation in the Alpe d'Huez area (Oisans, French Alps) The limited glaciation of the Rousses massif in the French northern Alps (lat. 45°N) may be explained in terms of the physical parameters of this mountain environment, the highest peak of which is the Pic Bayle (3465 m). Along its southwestern slopes, below the forward ice margins of the present glaciers, can be found several accumulations of glacial moraine. Through the study of pollens found in two post-glacial bogs and carbon 14 dating, it is possible to ascribe them to Tardiglacial and Holocène fluctuations. Since 14 000 BP, the main valleys in this part of the Alps have been free of ice. With the first temperate phases of the Tardiglacial period, alpine grasslands and trees appeared on the slopes between 1800 and 2000 m. During the Atlantic stage, a forest of birches and alders grew on the site of Alpe d'Huez, constituting a transitional belt between the coniferous sub- alpine forest and alpine grasslands. During the Roman period, about 2000 years ago, the forest was destroyed by man and the present land-scape of treeless grasslands became established. Over the past 2000 years, man's impact has been so great that today only the periglacial and glacial areas can be considered as true natural mountain environments. For this reason, the author suggests establishing a nature reserve in the north of the massif.

ENG : natural hazards! geomorphology! landslides! local community management! French Alps.

ENG : economic space! local productive system! dynamism of economic actors! networks! spatial hierarchies.

Some new aspects of the urban renewal policy in the old districts of Grenoble (1983-1988). The objectives of urban renewal in the old districts of Grenoble and the means to achieve them were laid down by the socialist municipal government of Hubert Dubedout. However, since the local elections of 1983, when the R.P.R. (Republican) party's Alain Carignon became mayor, Grenoble's urban renewal policy has been modified. The new policy introduced by the right wing municipal government has three distinguishing features with respect to the old town : first, its implementation is discrete, contrasting strongly with the publicity given to the old districts by the former municipality; second, the applied liberalism; third, the progressive changes occurring in the population.

ENG : climate! climate zones! monsoon! Nepal! Himalayas.

ENG : National Parks! development! management! planning! outdoor recreation! tourism! Alberta! Canada.