Recognition of Qanat and Opening the Way for Sustainable Development in Kariz Civilisation, Case Study: Zarch Qanat-Yazd

In arid lands where agriculture is dependent on irrigation, water shortage has been one of the main motivations for many innovations, such as Qanats, which play an important role in maintaining and developing civilisation on the Iranian plateau. What is known today as sustainable development, was actually understood and applied by our ancestors. Their method of sustainable use of water resources from these areas can be a good example to solve recent crises. The present research aims to answer the question of how and under what conditions a Qanat was able to cause human adaptation to nature and sustainable balance? To this end, the current research is carried out using qualitative content analysis and the MAXQDA software. The study area is the Zarch Qanat located in a large area of Yazd province. The study population includes 16 specialists in Qanat. The results indicate that all aspects of the indigenous knowledge of Qanat have been established based on natural features in order to achieve economic goals. Through this development, a social system was established which shows the existence of local planning in line with sustainable development.