The role of landscape planning in reducing damages caused by flood (case study: Nekaroud, Iran)

Abstract

Traditional flood control methods, such as gray infrastructure, are no longer sufficient to effectively manage flood events independently. Urban and landscape designers have devised design strategies to combat riverine and flash flooding in urban settings. These solutions aim to enhance urban ecological resilience by incorporating provisions for varying water levels within the urban environment. However, limited reviews have specifically explored how landscape architecture strategies can play a more effective and beneficial role in flood control. This paper aims to focus on landscape design solutions for flood adaptation and clarify the parameters in order to reduce vulnerability to floods. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the primary connection between humans and a river, and draws upon knowledge in hydraulics, ecology, flood control practices, and field observation to explore the practical solutions for reducing river floods. Moreover, it investigates the flood control method of Nekaroud in Iran, which serves as an example of inefficient flood control solutions. Surveys showed the significance of the river's position within its context and its fundamental role in enhancing spatial quality during the planning process, particularly in landscape planning. Neglecting this aspect can lead to further problems, such as ecosystem threats and limited access to the riverbank, as observed in the Nekaroud basin. Finally, the paper identifies various challenges facing the flooding at the macro, meso, and micro levels, and proposes landscape design solutions for flood adaptation that prioritize maintaining the river within its main context.