"The present research has been carried out with the aim of the cultural-environmental role of cultural centers in sustainable development in the city of Tehran. This research, in terms of its goal type, is developmental and strategic, and in terms of data collection method, it is considered exploratory. The method used in this research is based on foundational data theory. The purposive sampling method and the participation of 15 officials from cultural centers and deputy planners of cultural centers in Tehran city, as well as experts in the field of sustainable development, have been employed. Approximately 987 codes were identified after coding, and among them, the main concept became apparent. The emerging paradigm, in the aspect of causal conditions, includes green human resources, green infrastructure, green performance assessment, and green economy. In the dimension of action-interaction (creating a platform to attract elites, establishing a content committee and think tank, professionalizing and empowering human resources, expanding associations and civil institutions, strengthening and promoting green cultural behaviors in line with indigenous values, cultural planning with a sustainable development approach, long-term goal setting, aligning cultural center organizational goals with audience needs, equipping cultural center infrastructure for sustainable development, optimal energy consumption and waste management, entrepreneurship and marketing in the production of green products) and in the aspect of consequences (citizenry formation with a sustainable development approach, enhancing environmental adaptability, changing the intellectual paradigm of cultural managers, utilizing internal cultural center architecture in organizing events and training courses, optimal resource utilization with a green economy approach, creating a shared workspace, entrepreneurship in the production of indigenous products with a green economy approach, complementing organizational cultural activities, enhancing the scientific and professional level and motivation of employees, strengthening social relationships based on sustainable development, building trust among employees and audiences, enhancing the participation of young and cultural elites, enhancing the commitment and responsibility of officials, employees, and audiences, and increasing social belonging and commitment). These have been formed around the core paradigm of "Participatory Green Cultural Center and the Enhancement of Citizen Culture," based on Strauss and Corbin's paradigm model. Manuscript profile