In the name of God
Tehran, a mega polis, which is primarily known as the capital city of Islamic republic of Iran, is not as old as many cities and major population centers in the same country. Tehran's history does not go beyond a mere two centuries. Two hundred years ago, Tehran was a village affiliated with the city of Ray, resting at the feet of the Elborz mountain chains. Evidently, one of the reasons for Iranians to choose Tehran as their new capital was abundant water springs, colorful plains, green orchids and vast woodlands of plane trees in and around it.
Over the last two centuries, especially during the past few decades, Tehran has grown in an unbridled manner and its population has increased anomalously. These factors together with industrial development, centralization, the upheaval of subsistence structures, the downfall of traditional life style systems, and the aggravation of cultural and economic polarities, which are among the inevitable consequences of a traditional period into urban development, led to the destruction or transformation of the numerous original natural attractions of Tehran such as the abundance of water, natural landscapes, and abundant greenery and wooded areas.
Along this development, a lot of old gardens became construction sites and many fertile lands shifted into paved alleyways and bazaars. Therefore, it is very easy to understand that in such an atmosphere the links of city-dwellers with natural environment would fade away gradually and the possibilities for the development of natural spaces and green, opulent environment would dwindle. Obviously, such a situation can have many negative consequences for the environmental, economic, social and cultural circumstances of city life.
In this light, it is not without good reason that development of green space in a city like Tehran of today is more due to the contribution of such spaces to the macro-management of the mega city rather than following aesthetic values.
Some of these contributions are:
- Strengthening the links of city dwellers with their natural environment
- The reduction of water, air and sound pollution
- The development of recreational spaces
- The creation of the space needed to introduce and protect biodiversity
- The development of facilities for scientific, cultural, artistic and educational activities
- The creation of environments that help reduce the psychological stress of harsh city life
- The development of a sphere to improve relations between citizens
These are the primary targets followed by Tehran Parks and Green Space Organizationnowadays.
Ali-Mohammad Mokhtari
Managing Director of TPGSO
TPGSO: Tehran Parks and Green Space Organization