Introduction: 
Nowadays, the physical growth and expansion of cities with rational standards and principles are among the sustainable urban development principles. Sustainable urban development is based on real needs and rational decisions considering diverse economic, social and environmental aspects. Among the factors affecting urban physical development is sustainable income via which the level of profitability and access to sustainable income can determine the type and amount of urban development with a plan. Providing financial resources is one of the most critical duties of public institutions such as municipalities. Financial resources of municipalities can be obtained in different ways, but not all of them have the characteristics of stable incomes. The stability of the incomes requires that, firstly, they have relative continuity and secondly, they do not expose the quality conditions of the city to threat and destruction.
One of the ways to accepleate economic development, development and job creation is to attract capital and invest in cities. Besides, attracting investment can lead to the reform of the city's management system and the exchange of economic experiences and the use of new technologies. In the face of problems and problems in cities such as population explosion, the bad condition of vehicles on the streets and roads, pollution and environment, the flood of rural migrants, and the growing wave of marginalization, cooperative programs and private investments have a special place among city managers because the municipalities are facing budget limitations in the implementation of urban projects. The present study aimed at compiling and prioritizing strategies for economic participation development in the urban management of Ahvaz metropolis.
  Methodology:
The study employed an applied-developmental research design, descriptive-analytical research method. The data were through documentary-library and survey research, and interviewing with citizens and experts. The statistical population consisted of 30 investment and partnership experts, all of whom were selected as samples due to the limited number of population. To analyze the data, Fuzzy DEMATEL multi-criteria decision making technique (FDEMATEL) was employed and integrated with the SWOT model. In this research, to present strategies for economic participation development in urban management, using a strategic planning and strategic management technique, SWOT strategic analysis, an effort was made to find the most important efficient strategies and policies, and finally to present the best strategy for the development of economic participation in the urban management of Ahvaz metropolis.
  Results and Discussion:
In the analysis of offensive strategy (SO), dimensions SO₁, SO₂ and SO₄ are considered the cause due to their positive situation. As a result, these dimensions have a high effect on the effectiveness of other dimensions. In other words, SO₃ and SO₅ dimensions are considered disabled due to their negative position and have more influence. The SO₄ dimension has a longer length from the origin than other dimensions-- SO₄ is more important than other indicators in influencing and being influenced by indicators. Also, among the dimensions of survival strategies (SO), ST₁, ST₄, and ST₂ are considered the cause due to their positive situation. As a result, these dimensions have a high effect on the effectiveness of other dimensions. In other words, ST₃ and ST₅ dimensions are considered disabled due to their negative situation and have more influence. As can be seen in the table, the ST₁ dimension has a longer length from the origin than other dimensions, this means that ST₁ is more important than other indicators in influencing and being influenced by indicators. In the analysis of reorienting strategies (WO), dimensions WO₁, WO₂, WO₄, and WO₅ are considered causes due to their positive status. As a result, these dimensions have a high effect on the effectiveness of other dimensions. In other words, dimensions WO₃ and WO₆ are considered disabled due to their negative position and have more influence. As can be seen in the table, WO₂ dimension has a longer length from the origin than other
 

Strateg. Manag. Stud., Vol. 16, No. 61, Spring 2025

Web: http://smsjournal.ir
Doi: 10.22034/smsj.2024.414811.1927
dimensions, this means that WO₂ is more important than other indicators in influencing and being influenced by indicators. Also, among the dimensions of defensive strategies (WT), WT₁, WT₂ and WT₃ are considered the cause due to their positive situation. As a result, these dimensions have a high effect on the effectiveness of other dimensions. In other words, WT₄, WT₅ and WT₆ dimensions are considered disabled due to their negative situation and have more influence. As can be seen in the table, WT₂ dimension has a longer length from the origin than other dimensions, this means that WT₂ is more important than other indicators in influencing and being influenced by indicators.
Conclusion:
Strategies such as doing pathological study in Ahvaz municipality investment; designing and providing investment packages; increasing the positive interaction with the executive and necessary devices with the participation of other interested organizations for the promotion of services and performing tasks based on laws, regulations and guidelines delegated to the municipality; forecasting the incentive system to reduce the risk of projects; providing Cadastre and GIS; designing a database of investors and urban projects; setting up an investment facilitation team with the participation of departments related to the municipality; and identifying regular investment capacities related to inherent duties of the municipality are among the most important strategies in developing economic participation in Ahwaz Metropolis.