Booth Flashcards
What is comparative research in urban planning?
The study of different urban planning systems to identify similarities, differences, and potential policy transfers.
What does it mean for planning to be culturally embedded?
Planning is shaped by local political, administrative, and legal cultures rather than being a neutral, technical activity.
Define policy transfer in the context of urban planning.
The process of adopting policies from one place to another, often challenged by cultural and institutional differences.
What is convergence in comparative research?
The idea that planning systems and policies across regions are becoming more similar due to external influences.
What is path dependence?
A theory stating that past decisions and institutional structures shape present planning outcomes, often leading to inertia.
What are the two types of path dependence?
Self-reinforcing sequences – Institutional patterns become stronger over time.
Reactive sequences – Past decisions trigger a chain of events that shape future actions.
How does path dependence affect policy change?
It creates resistance to change unless a major external event disrupts the established path.
What are the four types of comparative research identified by Tilly?
Individualizing Comparison – Understanding the unique characteristics of each case.
Universalizing Comparison – Identifying rules that apply across all cases.
Encompassing Comparison – Placing cases within a broader system to explain differences.
Variation-Finding Comparison – Identifying patterns of variation among different cases.
Which type of comparison is most useful for studying European Capitals of Culture (ECoC)?
Variation-Finding Comparison, as it helps explain how cities respond differently to the same EU policy.
What are some challenges in comparative research in urban planning?
Cultural and institutional differences.
Language barriers and translation issues.
Determining what variables to compare.
Risk of false analogies and overgeneralization.
Assessing causality and historical impact.
Why is language a significant issue in comparative research?
Words may have different meanings across cultures, leading to misinterpretation of policies and planning practices.
What are some key methodologies for comparative research in urban planning?
Historical Analysis – Studying past events to understand current planning systems.
Qualitative Data Collection – Using interviews, newspapers, and policy documents.
Language Sensitivity – Ensuring accurate translation and interpretation of concepts.
Cultural Awareness – Recognizing and accounting for local planning cultures.
Why is self-knowledge an important outcome of comparative research?
Studying other planning cultures helps reveal implicit assumptions in one’s own system, leading to better-informed policy decisions.
5 reasons for understanding comparative research
- development of theory
- Explanation of social phenomena
- Description of social reality
- Understanding policy interventions
- Evaluating policy process
