Nivar

Nivar

Application of AR and VR Algorithms and Metaverse Technology to Address Structural Gaps in Integrated Water Resources Management in Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Mohammad Ansari Ghojghar
Assistant professor, Department of reclamation of arid and mountainous regions Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran.
10.30467/nivar.2025.500190.1318
Abstract
The water governance system in Iran, as well as in many developing and semi-developed countries, has faced significant challenges in achieving its objectives. Increased productivity and economic development, alongside the lack of cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders within shared watersheds and aquifer basins, have hindered optimal environmental and managerial decision-making. Currently, many countries are not solely confronted with the physical scarcity of water resources; rather, governance weaknesses and mismanagement have led to complex conflicts and reduced efficiency in the utilization of these vital resources. Therefore, the development of new paradigms and innovative approaches to water governance has become essential. In this context, emerging information and communication technologies, particularly Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), have been recognized as key tools for improving water governance systems. These technologies enable the creation of interactive and simulated environments that, beyond enhancing education and capacity building of human resources, assist managers and policymakers in making more accurate, timely, and data-driven decisions. Furthermore, Metaverse technology, with its capability to establish extensive and participatory virtual spaces, can enhance governance systems by facilitating greater social interaction and citizen participation across all managerial levels. This study analyzes the applications of AR and VR technologies in water governance and examines their roles in increasing transparency, enhancing monitoring, and promoting sustainable management of water resources. Successful examples of the utilization of these technologies in specialized training, field monitoring, and decision-making processes are introduced, and their benefits, including cost reduction, increased precision, and expedited operations, are evaluated. The results indicate that integrating these advanced technologies into water governance systems can increase productivity, reduce risks, mitigate conflicts arising from traditional hierarchical governance approaches, and foster sustainable development in the water sector. Consequently, this study proposes a framework for the targeted application of VR and AR in water resource management, which can improve overall governance performance and enhance social participation in this critical domain.
Keywords
Social participation
artificial intelligence
simulation
water resource management
visualization
Subjects
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Nivar

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 November 2025

  • Receive Date 15 January 2025
  • Revise Date 17 August 2025
  • Accept Date 04 November 2025
  • Publish Date 04 November 2025