A Conceptual Design of Water Circulation in an Urban Environment: Towards Eco-solidarity with Economic and Social Values

Abstract

Rivers bring vitality to a city and its environment, but today, due to the lack of water for essential purposes in many regions of the world, many urban rivers do not have instream flow. To rectify this, first a minimum flow of water required to make the river visible is determined, and then the possibility of recirculating water is explored. Ecotourism in the context of eco-solidarity is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that preserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of local people, and involves “interpretation and education”. Isfahan is a unique tourism hub in Iran and the region has faced significant environmental and economic changes. Unlike before, there is no permanent flow in the Zayandeh-Rud River passing through the city. This study evaluates the two alternatives of the river without and with water recirculation with uncertain multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) and measure an Eco-Index. A detailed uncertainty and cost-benefits analysis including tourists' income, the capital cost, as well as some losses to agricultural sector are performed. Assuming 12% as an upper bound for the growth of tourists with the water recirculation scenario, the first-year net benefit will be at least $240 million. Also, by examining the growth in tourism in the three countries of Chile, Greece and the UAE, prior to Covid 19, the net benefit is also estimated. Under different possible scenarios over a 20-year time horizon, it could be as much as $3.64 billion that will significantly change the economic prosperity of the city and the region.