As shortage of irrigation water is a common environmental problem in all Arab countries, experimentation in designing landscapes with water conservation plants is becoming an essential tool for water conservation and fighting desertification.

One of the most promising experiences has been conducted by the Center for the Study of the Built Environment (CSBE) in Jordan where a special programme on water conservation landscapes has been implemented.

The CSBE project on water conserving landscapes is concerned with the development of aesthetically pleasing landscapes that also conserve the use of water.  Such aims can be achieved through a variety of means, which include using native and drought tolerant vegetation, making maximum use of rainfall runoff, and incorporating hard-covered ground surfaces (consisting of materials such as pebbles, stone, brick, and concrete) in landscape designs, rather than relying exclusively on surfaces covered with vegetation.

This project has been carried out in association with the University of Arizona in Tucson, an internationally recognized center for research and teaching related to landscaping for water-scarce environments. 

The CSBE website has uploaded all the technical publications and lists of suitable drought tolerant plants and these guidelines and publications are very important and can be used for developing such landscaping patterns in many countries in the Arab world. Check all the documents here