Journal of Natural Environment

Journal of Natural Environment

Urban Pathway Design and Stormwater Management through Green–Blue Infrastructure toward Multidimensional Resilience (Case Study: North Taleghani Boulevard, Karaj)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 M.Sc. Graduate in Landscape Engineering, Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
2 Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
3 Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran. Karaj, Iran
10.22059/jne.2026.411989.2898
Abstract
Extreme rainfall events associated with climate change, have challenged the effectiveness of conventional urban drainage systems and highlighted the need to reconsider urban pathway design. This study aims to develop an integrated framework for resilient urban pathway landscape design by combining green–blue infrastructure and Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques within a multidimensional framework encompassing ecological, hydrological, socio-cultural, and economic dimensions. North Taleghani Boulevard in Karaj was selected as the study area due to its location within a riverbed, considerable slope, and history of flooding and waterlogging. The research adopted a descriptive–analytical approach and was conducted in qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, SWOT analysis was used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the study area based on documentary evidence, spatial data, and field observations. In the quantitative phase, hydrological modeling was performed using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) under baseline and proposed scenarios, with approximately 30% of each subcatchment area allocated to LID measures. The results showed that the proposed scenario reduced average peak discharge from 0.227 to 0.173 m³/s, corresponding to a 24% reduction, while average total runoff decreased from 20.20 to 16.87 mm, representing a 17% reduction. Based on the integrated interpretation of the SWOT findings and SWMM results, four landscape design strategies were developed across hydrological, ecological, socio-cultural, and economic dimensions. These strategies included permeable surfaces, rain gardens, green roofs, drainage and rainwater storage systems, and public-space interventions adapted to the characteristics of the study area. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrating contextual assessment, hydrological evaluation, and landscape design can provide a practical framework for stormwater management and the development of resilient urban pathways.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 31 August 2026