Planning Research

Planning research is an applied investigation that uses empirical observations in the development and assessment of plans or planning inquiry. It is an “applied research” strategy in that the planner investigates everyday situations that are commonly faced by local residents. The main purpose for research in planning is to expand on the breadth, depth, and applicability of what the planner knows about a particular topic to either serve as a foundation or improve the suitability and success of his or her developed plans.

Accessing multiple data sets and organizing research projects around a mixed-method investigative strategy is generally standard practice in planning research. This is due to the multifaceted nature of the problems addressed that requires the planner to access different qualitative and quantitative data sets in order to generate a holistic understanding about the problem at hand. Qualitative data sets that are commonly generated in planning research projects include spoken comments from local residents, aerial and eye-level photographic images, and field observations. Quantitative data sets commonly used by a planner include census and demographic statistics, built and nonbuilt land use information, economic data, and vehicle traffic counts.

In addition, taking on complex problems is also part of the “systems approach” of how a planner looks at cities and the environment that directly influences how he or she frames research questions. Here, a region, city, and neighborhood are understood as being made up of a series of interconnected systems (social, economic, political, transportation, environment, etc.). A change in one system will have a direct impact on another system. For example, a dramatic increase in the population will have noticeable impacts in housing, health care, education, economy, and transportation. Furthermore, using the systems approach to frame planning problems provides the opportunity for the planner to identify potential solutions in one system through adjustments made in another system.

This entry examines two major junctures of the planning process: research and evaluation. The role of the community and politics is also examined.