Application of Eco- Revelatory Design for Qanats

Statement of problem: Qanats, the masterpieces of Iranian engineering, have long played a key role in rural development and urban expansion. In recent decades, these underground structures have received less attention. Such negligence is mirrored by leaving domestic, hospital and industrial wastewater running into qanats. It is exacerbated by the lack of awareness of the inhabitants of the traditional textures and the new parts of the city. The decline in the use of the qanat systems in Iran has also affected urban and especially traditional textures. Therefore, the restoring and updating the technology of qanats as a potential solution in the cities is necessary. In this context, urban spaces as a platform for social events can play a significant role in educating and raising awareness of the citizens.
Purpose of the study and Research Methodology: This study employs Eco-revelatory design to identify those parts of the natural and cultural phenomena and processes that are overlooked by a community. This approach and its tools attempt to raise the awareness of society about its environment and its events. To this end, we first identify the principles of this approach by examining and analyzing the specialized texts and then develop them for qanats in accordance with the urban design qualities. In doing so, we attempt to address the three main goals of Eco-revelatory design in urban space.
Conclusion: This paper draws upon the principles of Eco-revelatory design, a) to arouse public interest in qanats, b) to encourage the citizens to attend well-designed spaces and, c) to raise their awareness about this significant bio-social phenomenon and its related issues.