Rethinking settlements in arid environments: case study from Uzbekistan

Abstract

Fast growing population of Uzbekistan and increasing the share of urban citizens increased inter-linkages between settlements and irrigated farming. Growing settlements on account of farm land, increasing the demand for high quality water, wastewater utilization in agriculture, water logging and salinization are some of the water related inter-linkages. This paper focus on waterlogging issue at three different sites, located in the upstream of the Syrdarya River in Fergana Valley, middle stream of river in Mirzachul Steppe and the downstream of Amudarya River in Khorezm region. Groundwater modeling applied to examine different strategies of to lower shallow groundwater table. The results of the modeling studies indicate that ultimate solution for waterlogging issue can be achieved when basin water management plans linked with settlement development plans.