Due to their bridging role between rural settlements and metropolises, intermediate cities hold a special position in spatial balance and regional development. However, realizing a participatory city in these cities faces multi-layered structural, institutional, and social challenges. This study aims to develop effective strategies for achieving a participatory city in Iranian intermediate cities, with a case study of Borujen. The research adopts a descriptive‑analytical and survey method. Data were collected through a researcher‑designed questionnaire with 42 items using random sampling from 395 citizens across 11 neighborhoods. Content validity was confirmed using CVR and CVI indices, and reliability was established with Cronbach’s alpha (0.88). Data analysis employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA), SWOT matrix, and quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM). Factor analysis revealed four factors – “urban governance and trust”, “local economy and welfare”, “social capital and civic participation”, and “environmental sustainability and livability” – which together explain 91.1% of the participability variance. The SWOT analysis showed that Borujen possesses three strong strengths (social interactions, voluntary participation, sense of place) and six strong opportunities (including mutual aid, a cross‑urban volunteer information bank, neighborhood festivals), but faces five moderate weaknesses (infrastructure, waste management, water shortage, dependent local economy, institutional responsiveness) and eight moderate threats (including elite migration to metropolises, cross‑boundary pollution, and drought), all of which directly affect the city’s regional role. QSPM prioritization indicated that the “cross‑urban volunteer information bank” strategy has the highest score as the most effective strategy. Finally, time‑based (short‑term, medium‑term, long‑term) and place‑based (distinguishing leading, intermediate, and critical neighborhoods) strategies are provided, focusing on Borujen’s regional functions (providing services to peripheral areas, reducing migration, strengthening agricultural markets, and reducing pollution). This research, for the first time in an Iranian intermediate city, offers an operational model for increasing participability with a regional development approach.