DEP5101A QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR URBAN PLANNING

Planners encounter various challenges and must work with different planning processes, stakeholders and data to tackle them. They handle a steady stream of data from expert-driven plans to bottom-up public input, which directly and indirectly shapes their work. Qualitative Methods for Urban Planning is the core course that teaches students key qualitative methods used in planning practice and research. These tools include field studies, surveys, interviews, designing questionnaires, site inspections, arts-based research methods such as photographic analysis and embodied research techniques, all useful for analyzing urban planning. Students will learn to distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data and key concepts in qualitative research, such as selecting the right methods and theories, considering diverse participant perspectives, research ethics, the researcher’s role, and different approaches. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, with fieldwork playing a significant role in the learning process. This enables students to learn how to collect, analyze, and present qualitative data related to planning and urban issues, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the community and the social issues in the urban contexts.