University of Applied Sciences and Technology of Tehran Municipality Urban Development Policy Making 3092-653X 3 1 2027 01 01 Strategic analysis of the role of municipalities in water resources management Strategic analysis of the role of municipalities in water resources management 159 172 235942 10.22034/judpm.2025.557111.1072 FA Mona Masoudi Ashtiani Department of Civil Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Hamid Kardan Moghaddam Assistant Professor, Water Research Institute, Ministry of Energy, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 07 29 <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This study aims to strategically analyze the position and role of municipalities in urban water resources management and achieving sustainable development.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">In this study, the framework of laws and regulations related to water resources management, including urban planning laws, green space, pollution control, and efficient consumption regulations, was first examined.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Then, the proposed policies and measures were analyzed in four main areas, including urban development, climate-friendly design and architecture, zoning policies, and intersectoral cooperation.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">In the next step, the capacities of municipalities in the field of water consumption management, advertising and culture building, financial instruments, and participatory mechanisms were described.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A comparative assessment of international experiences from countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and Brazil showed that the most successful models are a combination of transparent governance, smart technology, green infrastructure, and public participation.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The results of the study indicate that the urban water crisis in Iran is caused by weak multi-level governance, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of a culture of sustainable consumption. Municipalities can become the main axis of the transition to sustainable urban water resources management by reforming urban development policies, implementing land use regulations based on water indicators, integrating monitoring systems, and redesigning the financial model.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The study ultimately proposes a three-stage implementation framework (short-term, medium-term, long-term) for Iranian cities that is designed based on data-driven governance, intergenerational planning, and climate resilience.</span> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This study aims to strategically analyze the position and role of municipalities in urban water resources management and achieving sustainable development.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">In this study, the framework of laws and regulations related to water resources management, including urban planning laws, green space, pollution control, and efficient consumption regulations, was first examined.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Then, the proposed policies and measures were analyzed in four main areas, including urban development, climate-friendly design and architecture, zoning policies, and intersectoral cooperation.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">In the next step, the capacities of municipalities in the field of water consumption management, advertising and culture building, financial instruments, and participatory mechanisms were described.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">A comparative assessment of international experiences from countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and Brazil showed that the most successful models are a combination of transparent governance, smart technology, green infrastructure, and public participation.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The results of the study indicate that the urban water crisis in Iran is caused by weak multi-level governance, deteriorating infrastructure, and a lack of a culture of sustainable consumption. Municipalities can become the main axis of the transition to sustainable urban water resources management by reforming urban development policies, implementing land use regulations based on water indicators, integrating monitoring systems, and redesigning the financial model.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The study ultimately proposes a three-stage implementation framework (short-term, medium-term, long-term) for Iranian cities that is designed based on data-driven governance, intergenerational planning, and climate resilience.</span> https://www.judpm.ir/article_235942_185c0e7e0aca175fc98b0580640abde9.pdf