Enhancing Co-Benefits and reducing Flood Risks through Nature-based Solutions and Assessments: A Case Study in the Dead Sea Region of Jordan

Authors

  • Huseyin Gokcekus Department of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus | Energy, Environment, and Water Research Center, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
  • Youssef Kassem Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus | Energy, Environment, and Water Research Center, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus | Science, Technology, Engineering Education Application and Research Center, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
  • Nour Alijl International Designers Company, Amman, Jordan | Department of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
Volume: 14 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 16450-16459 | October 2024 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7944

Abstract

The integration of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a crucial step in the restoration of ecosystems and the mitigation of the effects of urbanization and climate-induced flooding. Moreover, National Statistical Policies (NSP) and SDGs have notably diminished flood and hydrogeological risk in developed countries. Nevertheless, developing countries like Jordan have encountered difficulties in implementing NSP and SDG. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing NBS in the Jordanian Dead Sea (DS) area for the first time. To this end, a novel approach was proposed, integrating the NBS and SDGs with the SA-GIS and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) approaches, with the objective of addressing the severe issue of urban floods in the DS area. Furthermore, a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis was employed to comprehensively assess costs and benefits over a specified time frame, utilizing key indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV) and the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The findings revealed that detention ponds, vegetated swales, rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting have BCR values exceeding one, suggesting that incorporating co-benefits into economic assessments significantly enhances the economic efficiency and viability of NBS. In conclusion, the proposed method can be applied globally and serves as a viable strategy for advancing sustainable urban growth and reducing the risk of disasters in developing countries like Jordan.

Keywords:

nature-based solutions, Dead Sea, flood risk, co-benefits, economic assessment

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[1]
Gokcekus, H., Kassem, Y. and Alijl, N. 2024. Enhancing Co-Benefits and reducing Flood Risks through Nature-based Solutions and Assessments: A Case Study in the Dead Sea Region of Jordan. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research. 14, 5 (Oct. 2024), 16450–16459. DOI:https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.7944.

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