Resilient approach toward urban development in lakecatchments; case of Lake Urmia

Abstract. The climate change and human development in lake catchments have put these habitats in drying conditions, e.g. Aral Sea in Asia, Lake Chad in Africa, Lake Mead in USA, Lake Urmia in Iran, etc. These ecosystems play an important role in social, ecological, and economic activities. Lake Urmia, recognized as an international wetland in 1973 and located in Iran, which is the second largest hypersaline lake in the world, is in the same state. Lake Urmia biologically and ecologically is one of the most interesting places in the world. This lake is a habitat for various species. The lakeʹs surface has shrunken from 6000 km2 to 900 km2 in 2013. The statistics indicate that the population has increased by 13% during this period, which shows that in addition to natural causes such as climate change and global warming, human related issues like population growth and urban development have the most important role in the lakeʹs status. This paper presents an innovative method for estimating the wetland HSE statues to make preventive measures and bring an acceptable coexistence of both the lake with all its ecological and environmental features and the urban areas as sustainable and resilient cities.