Urban Development Policy Making

Urban Development Policy Making

Strategic analysis of the role of municipalities in water resources management

Document Type : َApplied Papers

Authors
Mona Masoudi Ashtiani 1
Hamid Kardan Moghaddam 2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Water Research Institute, Ministry of Energy, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/judpm.2025.557111.1072
Abstract
This study aims to strategically analyze the position and role of municipalities in urban water resources management and achieving sustainable development. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Keywords
Urban governance
water resources management
sustainable development
municipalities
climate resilience
green infrastructure

Subjects

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Urban Development Policy Making
Volume 3, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 159-172

  • Receive Date 29 July 2025
  • Revise Date 02 September 2025
  • Accept Date 17 November 2025
  • Publish Date 01 January 2027