This study aims to redesign Tehran’s urban water governance and integrate nature-based and participatory governance approaches to enhance socio-ecological resilience. It examines the hydrological resilience of Tehran metropolis to the combined stresses of climate change, population growth, and unsustainable water resource management. Using a mixed methodology including analysis of official documents and development plans, stakeholder interviews, and spatial analysis, the impact of strategies such as aqueduct rehabilitation, rainwater harvesting, and treated wastewater recycling was assessed. Findings indicate a 25% reduction in urban water consumption and a 40% increase in local participation under the influence of these strategies, which have significant potential to restore groundwater aquifers and improve the permeability of urban ecosystems. However, the scalability of the strategies is limited by deep structural barriers including policy fragmentation, legal vacuum, institutional inefficiency, and weak citizen participation. In response to these challenges, the study proposes the establishment of an integrated urban water governance system based on synergy between government institutions, NGOs, and local communities. This framework seeks to achieve both ecological resilience and social cohesion by establishing a “High Urban Water Council,” amending laws, implementing participatory pilot projects in underserved neighborhoods, making data transparent, and utilizing innovative solutions such as digital monitoring. Finally, by redefining water as a socio-ecological capital, this model provides an efficient model that can be generalized to other metropolises located in dry regions of the world.