Journal of Geography, Regional Planning and Development

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

Ajuluchukwu.C, Nwankwo — 2025-11-06

Objective:

The paper examined Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Urban and Regional Planning in Nigeria. The paper concluded that integration of climate risk assessment into urban planning, development of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, climate-resilient infrastructure and building design, sustainable urban transportation systems, land use planning and zoning regulations, community-based adaptation and public participation and policy integration and institutional strengthening are the Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Urban and Regional Planning that can be adopted in Nigeria. One of the recommendations of the paper, in line with the outcomes, is that the federal, state and local planning bodies of Nigeria should incorporate physical and regional development plans with holistic climate risk assessment. Planners in urban and rural areas in Nigeria need to focus on green infrastructure development that employs natural processes in climate resiliency. Examples are are the creation of urban parks, green roof, community gardens, the restoration of wetlands, and planting trees along roads or around water bodies. With the cooperation of professional planning and engineering organizations, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing should constitute and implement climate resilience building codes. Such standards would highlight on usage of durable materials, better drainage system, higher foundations in the flood prone regions and designs that use less energy. Other infrastructure amenities like roads, bridges and drainage facilities ought to be constructed with the in anticipation of the predicted alterations in rainfall intensity and temperature in order to guarantee long life span and safety. Urban planners should integrate transport and land use planning to promote compact city forms and reduce dependence on private cars. Encouraging public transportation use not only mitigates climate change but also improves urban air quality and energy efficiency. The federal and state governments should strengthen the enforcement of land use and zoning regulations to control unplanned urban expansion and settlement in high-risk zones.

SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT FOR UTILIZATION IN AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS: AL-SAQI ALTERNATIVE WATER PROJECT – KARBALA, IRAQ

Rafal Ghassan Mahmood — 2025-08-20

Objective: Groundwater represents the most important source for sustaining agriculture and maintaining socio-economic development, especially in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iraq’s western desert, as surface water is scarce. Method: Al-Saqi Alternative Water Project in Karbala province represents one of the most important projects, which depends on GW to cultivate different types of corps, has adopted the latest agricultural technologies and smart fertilization systems under the supervision of specialized companies, so that 3 main scenarios were put forward in order to get the optimal exploitation for the whole area of project (35000 dunums) with no leading to GW scarcity. Results: First scenario includes planting only wheat, proved to be a sustainable scenario, whereas the second one involved cultivating many summer and winter crops (each for the whole area), which showed markable risk. In the last scenario, it was assumed that a mix of summer crops is planted together evenly and so on for Winter crops, which eventually showed partial success. Novelty: The outcomes of this study emphasised that crop type selection and land-use plan play a vital role in maintaining groundwater sustainability.

ISSUES OF DELIMITATION AND MAPPING OF THE SANGZOR RIVER BASIN BASED ON A BASIN APPROACH

Qosimov Nurmuxamad Dursinovich — 2025-08-20

Objective: This study aims to analyze the Sangzor River basin as a distinct geosystem by delineating its geographical and administrative boundaries and assessing its internal structural hierarchy. Method: The research employs a basin approach supported by Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to determine the spatial extent, sub-basin classification, and natural resource utilization within the Sangzor basin. Results: The findings reveal that the Sangzor River basin, located in the Middle Zarafshan natural geographic district and spanning the Jizzakh and Samarkand regions, consists of 78 identified sub-basins categorized into first-order basins. The study provides precise geographic coordinates, demonstrates the interconnection between tributaries originating from the Morguzar and Chumqor mountains, and identifies key environmental characteristics influencing basin dynamics. Novelty: This research contributes to the field by integrating a basin-geosystem perspective with advanced GIS-based delineation techniques, offering an updated methodological framework for assessing river basin structures and natural resource management in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia.

INTERNAL SUBBASINS OF THE SANGZOR RIVER BASIN: A CASE STUDY OF THE KOKJAR BASIN

Qosimov Nurmukhamed Dursinovich — 2025-10-13

Objective: This study investigates the hierarchical division of the Sangzor River Basin, with a specific focus on the Kokjar Basin as one of its major internal sub-basins. It aims to describe the basin’s geographical extent, boundaries, surface morphology, soils, climate, and land-cover characteristics in relation to its natural potential for recreation and tourism development. Method: The research employed cartographic and Geographic Information System (GIS) methods to delineate basin boundaries and analyze geomorphological, hydrological, and climatic parameters. Results: The findings reveal that the Kokjar Basin, oriented north–south toward the Chumqor Mountain watershed, benefits from moist air inflow from the west, resulting in higher precipitation and increased surface runoff. Its fertile brown soils support extensive agricultural and horticultural activities, while forest and water resources promote eco-tourism opportunities. Novelty: This study contributes a systematic spatial assessment of the Kokjar Basin’s natural features within the hierarchical framework of the Sangzor River Basin, emphasizing its dual potential for sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism development based on integrated basin management principles.