Transversal Activities

First, the visibility that directly influences the understanding of a qanat will be improved. For this purpose, we envisaged both transversal and targeted activities for the individual sectors. Transversal activities consist of the creation of a boardwalk in selected spots along the underground tunnel, in particular, in the inhabited areas of the Chavan village (Figure 4D) and close to the Fath Abad garden (Figure 4A), located in the outskirts of Tabriz. This is designed to be a low-invasive structure (Figure 5I), mostly composed of local and natural materials, such as black poplar wood, which is also present in the Fath Abad garden. The boardwalk will allow people to walk across, understand and appreciate the multi-faceted landscape around it. To increase the visibility of qanat, next to the wells located along the boardwalk, solar tree panels will be installed together with led lams. The former (Figure 5K) directly catches the sunlight in the morning and generates electricity for lighting in the No-Ras qanat buffer zone, thus, allowing it to be accessible also during the evening.

**Figure 5.** Proposal for the renovation of the upstream agricultural area of the No-Ras qanat. (A) Mother well; (B) storage pool for agricultural use; (C) the Jub; (D) newly planted trees; (E) rural secondary road; (F) Chavan main road; (G) Chavan village; (H) small wooden bridge; (I) boardwalk; (J) gentle hill way; (K) No-Ras qanat's wells; (L) information solar tree panels; (M) agricultural fields; (N) No-Ras qanat core zone; (O) limit of the buffer zone.

These renovations will positively impact on at least the northern neighbourhoods of Chavan. Indeed, the more rational the organization and the greater awareness towards the urban (southward) and peri-urban (northward) landscape (Figure 6), the more it will

provide a place of aggregation that, as documented in several cases worldwide [73,74], will foster social inclusion, people's health and possibly the economic value of the houses.

**Figure 6.** Proposal for the renovation of the sector of the No-Ras qanat passing through the modern village of Chavan. (A) Gentle hill way; (B) Chavan main road; (C) boardwalk; (D) No-Ras qanat's wells; (E) centre for organic farming; (F) the Jube; (G) natural seasonal streams; (H) Chavan village; (I) rainwater storage area; (J) No-Ras qanat core zone; (K) reforestation; (L) limit of the buffer zone.

Moreover, in order to foster the understanding of the qanat hydraulic system and the wider natural and the anthropized context in which it is embedded, several information panels will be placed along its path (Figures 5L, 7G and 8I), while numerous wells will be covered with glass slabs to allow people to look inside (Figures 7C and 8B).

**Figure 7.** Proposal for the renovation of the mining sector of the No-Ras qanat. (A) River; (B) newly planted trees; (C) No-Ras qanat's wells (Glass slabs); (D) rainwater storage area; (E) natural seasonal stream; (F) hill; (G) information solar tree panels; (H) new public square for the local market; (I) No-Ras qanat core zone; (J) open areas (No-Ras qanat buffer zone); (K) Chavan main road; (L) boardwalk.

**Figure 8.** Proposal for the renovation of the railway and pipeline sector of the No-Ras qanat. (A) Fath Abad historical garden; (B) No-Ras qanat's wells (glass slabs); (C) river; (D) No-Ras qanat buffer zone; (E) No-Ras qanat core zone; (F) No-Ras qanat's wells; (G) new railway and gas pipeline bridge; (H) open areas; (I) information solar tree panels; (J); Chavan main road; (K) boardwalk; (L) gentle hill way.

A small seasonal river passes through the village of Chavan, flowing close to the No-Ras qanat. This river stream, running both in the upstream area and the successive ones, corresponds to the path of the secondary road (Figure 5E), which during the fall and winter seasons, is partially or fully flooded. Moreover, when running close to the qanat, it may affect its stability and access to the wells. Therefore, we propose a solution for controlling the water flow and improving the area seasonally flooded by the river. We suggest using a traditional water management system called "Jube" (Figures 5E and 6F) [75]. This consists of the division of the river into two separate streams located on both sides of the secondary road. The outer banks of the river will be strengthened by planting local trees, while the road will be kept unpaved, meaning made of the local soil.

As a traditional hydraulic system and part of the heritage of the region, the Jube will be critical for managing and preventing new floods in the northern part of the city. Moreover, the new layout will provide an important and safe roadway crossing the entire village and it will contribute to the embellishment of the area, possibly leading, over the long term, to an increase in the economic value of the buildings along it.

#### Target Activities for the Upstream Agricultural Area

Targeted activities regarding the "Upstream agricultural area" include the creation of a large pool for agricultural purposes, representing a traditional solution in the region for storing water (Figure 5B). Similar infrastructures are currently missing in the area and their creation would be a valuable support for local farmers, especially in dry seasons.

#### Target Activities for the Sector Occupied by the Chavan Village

In addition to the transversal action described above, two main activities have been planned to enhance the sector occupied by the Chavan village (Figure 6).

A first structural action, also affecting the sector occupied by the mining area, aims at protecting the qanat from the natural seasonal streams flowing from the top of the hill to the east (Figure 6G). The erosive action of the seasonal streams causes substantial damage to the qanat over time. To avoid this, we propose placing several small wells along the streams to allow for natural storage of the water. In this way, we will also provide farmers with additional water for irrigation.

A second initiative concerns the creation of a "Centre for organic farming" (Figure 6E). This center will support farmers in the development of sustainable solutions for agriculture, thus, contributing to reducing pollution generated by intensive agriculture and eventually meeting the scopes of SDG 13. The center will involve the local population through events and lectures, during which the key concepts of organic farming and their benefit for both people and the environment will be explained.

The creation of the Centre of organic farming could be supported by national funding as well as from the municipalities of Chavan and Tabriz. Scientific and technical supports may also be searched among international organizations and NGOs, including the Organic Research Centre (https://www.organicresearchcentre.com/ (accessed on 11 October 2022)) and the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (https://www.isofar.online/ Home/ (accessed on 11 October 2022)). In addition to the provision of new job positions, the novel approach of the center (i.e., promotion of organic farming) may help attracting researchers, external farmers and other stakeholders, thus, making the village an important hub for organic farming in the area. Over the long term, the center may host fairs and events, also attracting people from the entire region or nation, thus, having economic benefits for the population of Chavan and Tabriz as well.

#### Target Activities for the Sector Occupied by the Mining Area

In addition to the transversal activities, we propose replacing the existing mining area with a public square hosting a weekly market (Figure 7H). The square will be equipped with solar tree panels and soft park furniture lighting. The weekly markets will be organized in collaboration with the Centre for organic farming to sell the products of local farmers, promote sustainable agriculture and share the value and results of the No-Ras qanat renewal project.

A second action envisaged in the mining area will regard the reforestation of a large portion, located (Figure 6K) close to the Chavan village with local trees. This action will have a significant environmental impact, eventually contributing to meet the scopes of SDG 13. As demonstrated by numerous studies worldwide [76–79], the reforestation of the areas around villages and towns have a positive impact on the urban population, also increasing the value of buildings and possibly triggering a virtuous circle of urban improvement.
