Presenting a model of factors affecting the socio-political participation of citizens in the implementation of sustainable development projects in urban areas (Case study of employees of the executive apparatus of Arak)

The present article was conducted with the aim of presenting a model of factors affecting the socio-political participation of citizens in the implementation of sustainable development projects in urban areas. In this research, urban development of Arak metropolis has been considered as a case study. The statistical population is the employees of the executive bodies of Arak in 2009. The sample size was 361 people according to Morgan sampling table, which was selected by random quota classification. Data collection tools were interviews with academic experts and a questionnaire of executives. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed through factor analysis and Cronbach's tests. Achieving a coefficient above 0.70 in both cases indicates the stability of their measurement. Methods of data analysis are: utilization of descriptive statistics, structural equation tests, Sobel test. In this regard, PLS software was used to test the research model and hypotheses. The results showed that each set of social, cultural and economic factors was mediated by socio-political participation with sustainable urban development. But there was no relationship between political factors mediated by socio-political participation and sustainable urban development. At the same time, the set of factors affecting sociopolitical participation has a positive effect on sustainable urban development, the model of this effect was also tested and presented.