Sustainable restoration of intermittent streams: Integrating ecological design and urban resilience

Abstract

The sustainable restoration of intermittent streams has become a critical priority in contemporary urban planning, particularly as cities confront the dual challenges of ecological degradation and climate change. In Tehran, decades of rapid urbanization and poor management practices have confined natural streams into rigid concrete channels, eroding their ecological value and disconnecting them from community life. This paper introduces an ecological and sustainability-oriented framework for the restoration of the Darband and Darabad river valleys, highlighting their potential to function as ecological corridors that support biodiversity, thermal regulation, cultural identity, and urban resilience. The study employs a systematic methodology that integrates ecological engineering, landscape design, hydrological modeling, and participatory planning. Findings suggest that restoring these river valleys through sustainable strategies, such as the creation of active green networks, multifunctional public spaces, and resilient hydrological systems, can transform them from degraded drainage corridors into life-giving urban landscapes. Moreover, the research emphasizes the necessity of linking restoration with sustainability goals to ensure long-term ecological balance, social well-being, and climate adaptation. This case study demonstrates that sustainable river restoration, when aligned with ecological design and community engagement, has the potential to reposition intermittent streams as essential infrastructures for sustainable urban development and resilience.