A Framework for Landscape & Urban Riverside's Improvement Based on Ecosystem Services Case Study: Sefidrud River in Astaneh Ashrafieh

Nowadays, the role of important natural elements and rivers, in particular, in the structure of urban landscape is much more crucial and different from the past. However, the major problem is the lack of high quality natural elements in urban landscape. Furthermore, no attention is paid to the critical and ecological aspects of these elements as much as necessary. In this case, threats to “natural ecosystem services” and health in urban rivers and their riversides resulting from the growth of human activities, are very important. Due to specific geographic, ecological and climatic conditions, this is of remarkable importance for some rivers, their corridors and major cities of Iran. Therefore, landscape, corridor and margin improvements of such rivers based on ecological principles are mandatory. The main goal of this paper is to improve the quality of ecosystem services, and propose a landscape compatible with nature and the elements of natural and artificial environment on the regional and urban scale. Here, the major questions include: What is the appropriate landscape design framework for the examples of the important urban rivers like Sefidrud in Iran? And how can we support and reinforce the relations between natural elements, historic urban landscape values and desired cultural dimensions? Therefore, the research problem is how to improve Sefidrud riverside and its ecological aspects, in addition to proper landscape design along the river corridor and urban environment in Astaneh Ashrafieh. According to this objective and problem, the research method is both qualitative and descriptive-analytic method. In the first step, the results of the review of literature, studying related samples in the world and Iran, in particular, and documentary and research in databases are provided. Then, an environmental pathology and assessment of the site and case study is performed using a comparative analysis: the Taghvaei’ model of “Values and Elements of Landscape Component” in landscape architectural theories, landscape ecology and the dimensions of “ecosystem services”, in particular. The literature review and influential factors provide a design framework according to which three major categories determine the research model, namely natural environment, built environment and human activities’ environment. Therefore, the findings indicate persisting damages such as trespassing, land-use change, pollution and erosion on Sefidrud riverside in Astaneh Ashrafieh. Accordingly, the major results of this paper include providing solutions for environmental indicators improvement and improvement tourism and recreation facilities. These are explained in "Landscape Improvement Plan" derived from the theoretical and practical insights of the study, which can strengthen the preservation of ecosystem services, create identity, improve the relationships between people and nature, and promote social interactions and tourist attractions at local and regional levels.