Mountains of hope: contributing to the sustainable development goals through integrated landslide disaster risk management

Landslides represent a growing global challenge, particularly in mountainous and rapidly urbanising regions where environmental degradation and socio-economic vulnerabilities converge. This study investigates the interrelationships between Integrated Landslide Disaster Risk Management (ILDRiM) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advancing a systems-based understanding of landslide risk as a socially constructed and development-driven phenomenon. Drawing on a narrative literature review and a Design Structure Matrix (DSM), the research identifies eight critical drivers of landslide disaster risk: deforestation, climate change, urbanisation, infrastructure development, community vulnerability, exposure to landslides, ineffective governance, and lack of scientific integration into policymaking. The DSM framework systematically maps these drivers against the 17 SDGs to evaluate the nature and strength of their interactions. The analysis reveals significant synergies, where addressing specific drivers supports multiple SDGs, and trade-offs, where risk reduction efforts may inadvertently hinder other development objectives if not implemented inclusively and strategically. Findings underscore the transformative potential of embedding ILDRiM within national and local development frameworks. Prioritising governance reform, scientific innovation, and resilient infrastructure (SDGs 16, 17, and 9) is particularly effective for advancing landslide risk reduction while supporting broader sustainability outcomes. The study also highlights the need for anticipatory, cross-sectoral, and community-driven approaches to risk governance. This research offers actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to align disaster risk management with sustainable development planning. It proposes a novel methodology for assessing systemic interlinkages between disaster risk drivers and the SDGs. It calls for further research to refine data integration, address context-specific risks, and strengthen the evidence base for risk-informed development. By operationalising ILDRiM through the SDG framework, this study supports creating more resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities in landslide-prone regions.