By Shashikant Nishant Sharma
Urban landscapes are constantly changing due to various factors such as human interventions, natural forces, and community actions. These transformations are aimed at meeting the needs of the people using the urban spaces, taking into account their social, psychological, political, cultural, financial, physical, and other needs. Urban planning research methods and tools have also been evolving, and this paper discusses the contemporary methods, tools, and technologies used in urban planning research. The article applies current trends and examples to illustrate the employment of these methods in designing, developing, and operating urban spaces. This paper aims to be a valuable introductory reference for emerging researchers in urban planning, particularly for undergraduate and postgraduate students with limited exposure to urban planning research. However, established researchers in the discipline can also find this article useful. The authors conclude that future research should not disregard established research techniques in addressing urban vulnerabilities.
Keywords
Research Methods, Urban Planning, Research Tools, Urban Governance, Sustainability
Introduction
Urban planning, like other disciplines, heavily relies on research to progress and adapt. Failure to do so can cause the discipline to become obsolete in today’s rapidly changing world. The Frascati Manual defines research and experimental development as creative work done systematically to increase knowledge of humans, culture, and society, and to develop new applications based on that knowledge. Universal research methods applicable to both physical and social sciences are identified by Gulbrandsen and Kyvik (2010), and this paper adopts three key research methods in urban planning: basic research, applied research, and experimental development.
In addition to these methods, Parnell and Piertese (2015) identify other modes of generating new knowledge in urban planning, including pure research, embedded research, city labs, professional networks, cityscapes, and exhibitions. This paper focuses on discussing the first three modes in detail, along with relevant examples of embedded techniques, and provides an overview of the other modes that readers can explore further. The following section on research technologies and tools will explain some of the latter modes identified by Parnell and Piertese (2015).
Findings and Discussion
Basic research, also known as pure or fundamental research, is focused on exploring and explaining the fundamental principles behind the functioning of the world. The OECD (2002) defines basic research as experimental or theoretical work undertaken purely to acquire new knowledge of observable phenomena and the underlying facts behind them. The aim of this research is to satisfy the curiosity of the researcher and to increase the existing base of scientific knowledge by presenting theoretical perspectives or alternatives to explain certain phenomena or behaviors in society. Pure research in urban planning involves examining existing theories, redesigning them or proposing new ones to offer better explanations for phenomena, such as the current drive to have green urban infrastructure to combat global warming or studies to develop theories on smart cities (Palys, 2018).
Pure research is not problem-solving, but it seeks to justify the status of a phenomenon, even if its applications may or may not have any use in the immediate or long-term future. Pure research in urban planning seeks to enhance an understanding of past legacies through an analysis of diverse aspects of urban complexity, such as culture, social identities, resource flows, labor regimes, regulations, urban politics, welfare regimes, and the design of a city. Pure research is often undertaken by universities and other higher-caliber research centers, but private commercial entities also engage in it resulting in theoretical researchers being drawn from there (Palys, 2018).
Pure research is primarily aimed at expanding the theoretical basis of a phenomenon, feeding researchers’ curiosities, and resulting in new ways of doing things (innovations) that then feed into investments and remodeling of the way things are done. Through pure research, old theories, standards or formulae can be tested, and those found to be incomprehensive or nonsensical are discarded. Pure research can be exploratory, descriptive or causal in nature, and it largely involves observation, polls/surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions as its primary means of investigation (Palys, 2018; Parnell & Pieterse, 2015).
In contrast to pure research, applied research aims to provide immediate solutions to existing problems and is based on pre-existing theories and assumptions from pure research. It uses its findings to address real-world issues, aids in decision-making, and enables policy and programme development. Applied research encompasses a range of methods, from large scale surveys to complex lab experiments, and is problem-solving in nature. It focuses on felt needs and non-hypothetical problems based on factual evidence to suggest meaningful solutions and testable hypotheses. Three types of applied research within social sciences include descriptive, experimental, and mixed-method studies. The applied research process involves defining the research problem, planning the study, executing data collection and analysis or experimentation, and reporting on findings with follow-up. Descriptive studies aim to paint a picture of a phenomenon, while correlational studies report negative, positive, or zero correlation between variables. Cross-sectional studies collect data from many different individuals, groups, or locations at the same time to observe variations or consistency in variables.
Klosterman (2015) describes experimental development in urban planning as the process of designing and redesigning land use maps over multiple decades, which are essential for determining land use regulations. On the other hand, Gulbrandsen & Kyvik (2010) define experimental development as a research methodology that aims to fill technical knowledge gaps to improve existing technologies or create new ones to address societal issues. Experimental development often leads to tangible products, such as software, hardware, or techniques that increase efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. The goal of experimental development is to create prototypes that will lead to actual development. The OECD distinguishes between basic, applied research, and experimental development, which can transition from one to the next in a specific order. The primary aim of experimental development is to make technical improvements on products or processes, such as developing image processing technologies used in urban policing or alternative modes of transport and communication, among others.
here is a comparative table that summarizes the relationship between basic research, applied research, and experimental development:
| Category | Goal | Output | Examples |
| Basic Research | Expand scientific knowledge and understanding | Theoretical frameworks, concepts, and principles | Research on subatomic particles, DNA structure |
| Applied Research | Solve practical problems by applying scientific ideas | Solutions to specific problems or issues | Developing a vaccine for a disease, improving a product |
| Experimental Development | Make technical improvements to products or processes | Tangible products (software, hardware, techniques) | Developing image processing technologies for urban policing, alternative modes of transportation, innovative architectural designs |
Note that there is some overlap between the categories and there may not always be a clear distinction between them. Additionally, the output of each category can inform and influence the others, leading to a cycle of innovation and discovery.
Parnell & Pieterse (2015) identified embedded research as a significant mode of undertaking urban planning studies, which involves close partnership between researchers and practitioners to co-produce outputs for society’s gains. This collaboration between academia and development organizations allows for the alignment of field practices with theory to address challenges in the use of developed technologies and practice models. Embedded research is a bridge that allows mutual collaboration and benefits between academia and industry practitioners. McGinity & Solakangas (2014) report that embedded research borrows from embedded journalism, which involves US media reporters being within the war environment and updating their audiences. While there are contradicting opinions on research methodologies, Palys (2018) insists that these categorizations of studies as either pure, applied, or experimental are strictly based on the motivation that compels a researcher to undertake a study at the beginning, whereas Gulbrandsen & Kyvik (2010) argue that there is very little difference between basic research, applied research, and experimental design. However, it is important to note that applied research and experimental development work does not necessarily have to take place in university labs. Many innovations driving the urban growth and development agenda today did not originate from urban planners, such as online shopping, which has been very vital in helping the world’s cities and their residents cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise of online taxi services and shared rides also reduces the number of cars on the roads across cities, contributing to fighting transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Although widely held perceptions exist that basic research no longer takes place in universities, many theories are still emerging in various disciplines, including urban and regional planning.
Conclusions
The authors argue that standardized urban research methodologies are inadequate for planning the development of cities. They suggest that the unique qualities of each city should be documented and incorporated into future planning. The authors note that research on urban planning is often constrained by a lack of funding and researchers willing to undertake field surveys. The authors also highlight the importance of community-based enumeration and participatory urban planning in ensuring that the needs of urban residents and decision-makers are met. However, the rapid pace of change in urban planning has created a gap in research, leaving many citizens unable to cope with the technological advancements being made. The authors call for the deliberate retention and incorporation of human-led studies on the urban environment, alongside the use of AI to solve urban problems.
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