Abstract

Urban green spaces in Iran, despite the continuous emphasis of urban management on increasing quantitative indicators and per capita ratios, are confronted with numerous structural and discursive challenges. These include island-like fragmentation, the predominance of statistical approaches over qualitative considerations, the neglect of ecological connectivity, and inequitable spatial distribution. This condition has reduced green spaces to passive, mono-functional elements subordinate to the hegemony of the automobile and physical expansion.

By adopting a critical discourse approach, the current study deconstructs the traditional paradigm governing green space management in Iran. Concurrently, it introduces the "urban green network" as an integrated concept to re-evaluate the distribution and functional efficiency of these spaces. The article critiques existing structures by posing the fundamental question: "Why has the quantitative approach to creating green spaces failed to achieve spatial justice and ecological resilience in Iranian cities?"

In this regard, a substantial portion of the theoretical framework is dedicated to elucidating the problem and offering a critical reading. Through a comparative analysis of global experiences, the study demonstrates that transitioning from the traditional system of passive green islands to a contiguous, multifunctional green network is not merely an aesthetic choice, but an imperative necessity to combat climate crises and enhance urban livability.