Investigating the Impact of Empowerment Programs in Suburbs on increasing social participation (Case Study: Pakdasht County)

The present study aims to investigate the impact of empowerment programs in suburban areas on increasing social participation. This is a descriptive-analytical study. It is an applied study and a survey method is used. The population of the study consisted of all residents of Pakdasht city (Ostad Shahriar neighborhood) with an estimated population of about 30,000 in the suburbs. Thus, the sample size is obtained using Cochran's table (sample size=379). The instrument used for data collection was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Then the questionnaires were distributed among the statistical population and then regression test and SPSS software were implemented. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between empowerment and social participation. Empowering suburbs and giving them some benefits can have a huge impact on people living in these neighborhoods, increasing their social participation. Generally speaking, Community-based empowerment and citizen participation in urban and neighborhood management are in a mutual relationship.