APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

This book introduces the fundamentals of research methods and their application to urban and regional planning. Written for upper-level undergraduate and beginning master’s students, it fills a gap in the literature for textbooks on urban planning. It is also useful as a reference for planning practitioners and researchers analyzing quantitative and qualitative data in urban planning and related fields.

The book does not assume prior knowledge of advanced mathematical formulas. It covers the essentials of research methods, including identifying research problems in planning, literature review, data collection and presentation, descriptive data analysis, and reporting findings. The volume includes discipline-specific topics like field research methods, qualitative data analysis, economic and demographic analysis, and evaluation research. It also addresses sub-disciplines such as land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, and housing analysis.

Designed for instruction, the book includes downloadable materials such as learning outcomes, chapter highlights, review questions, datasets, and certain Excel models. These resources enable students to enhance their learning and practice methods through data analysis.