Problem statementPrepared by Roberto Rocco

Chair Spatial Planning and Strategy, TU Delft!"#$$%&'%()"%(*+)+,%!"#$$%&'%()"%(*+)+,%

All problems are opportunities in

disguise

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AUDIENCE

ANY Academic endeavour starts with a question

Generic criteriaBiggs & Buchler, 2008

✤ Question (and answer)

✤ Method

✤ Knowledge

✤ Audience

Question Answer

Methods

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Context

✴The problem statement provides the context for the research study and typically generates QUESTIONS which the research hopes to answer (objective of the research)

✴In considering whether or not to move forward with a research project, you will generally spend some time considering the problem.

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Hooking the reader

✴In your research project, the statement of the problem is the first part of the proposal to be read [apart from the title and the abstract, if you decide to have one]. The problem statement should "hook" the reader and establish a persuasive context for what follows.

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What is the problem?✴You need to be able to clearly answer the question: "what is the problem"? and "why is this problem worth my attention"? (this helps you define the RELEVANCE)

✴At the same time, the problem statement limits scope by focusing on some variables and not others. It also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate why these variables are important. (ditto)

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Is it transferable?

✴It is also important to be able to make your problem ‘”transferable”. Does it happen in other places (even with slight variations)?

✴This means that the problem at hand is not only a problem perceived by you as an individual (although you might have a special interest in it), but a problem that is recognized by society or by other members of the academic world. It can also be integrated and built upon by other people.

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Remember: nothing is completely transferable

But the main elements, MIGHT be. For instance:

Regeneration strategies can be used by various cities with the same problems.

Solutions for urbanization in flood-able areas in the Dutch Deltametropolis might be transferable to other Delta regions.

Spatial solutions for urbanization in Haiti after the big earthquake of 2010 might be transferable to other areas afflicted by similar natural disasters.

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What is the logic of enquiry?

✴MOST IMPORTANT, your problem must have some connection with spatial planning and design. Remember the LOGICS OF ENQUIRY. This means that the problem you want to analyze has some connection with space!

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Remember there are

different logics of enquiry

You need to find the more

relevant for your problem and for

the discipline

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✴Stating that China is industrializing quickly is not as relevant (for Urbanism) as stating that the rapid industrialization of China is producing massive urban growth!

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Manageable in 1 year?

✴Another question arises: is your problem MANAGEABLE within the scope of spatial planning and design?

✴Is your problem manageable within the scope of the Masters Course of the TU Delft? (meaning: can you research and find design solutions for that problem within the framework given by the University)?

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Perception + contradiction

A clear and interesting statement of the problem at hand, in the form of:

(A)

Perception, fact,

value or belief

But

However,

Although

In contrast

In spite of

(B)

Perception, fact,

value or belief

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Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Randstad (west part of the Netherlands) with approximately 300.000 inhabitants in 2009 (CBS, 2010). It is centrally located in the network of highways and railways of the country. It possesses the largest university of the country and a diversified service oriented economy (Gemeente Utrecht, 2007). In the last few years, the city has gained approximately 30.000 new dwellings (CBS, 2010).

Start by introducing the context highlighting the possibilities

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HOWEVER, Utrecht does not take full advantage of its central position because of the chronic congestion of the roads surrounding the city. Inhabitants and commuters complain that it is very difficult to reach the city centre from the city ring road. Transferia (the Dutch concept of car parking near the ring roads) are unattractive and not so well connected. This is one of the structural elements making Utrecht less competitive in the Randstad in terms of office location, which is hampering city growth.

But then introduce a problem or a set of problems

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DON’T YOU FEEL LIKE ASKING A QUESTION AT THE END OF THE LAST SLIDE? WHAT WOULD THAT QUESTION BE?

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That’s your research

question!

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EXAMPLE Research Question

✴How to improve competitiveness of the city of Utrecht by improving connectivity and car accessibility to the city centre ?

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Sub research questions

Sub research questions are questions that aim to answer underlying elements of your main research question. They will help you define your research strategy by highlighting what are elements you need to know to answer your research question.

1. How is city competitiveness related to physical connectivity?2. What are spatial/ geographical advantages of Utrecht?3. How is the city of Utrecht performing in the Randstad?

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Narrowed down research questions1. Does accessibility and connectivity from new ring roads to

city centres affect office occupancy?

2. What are structural problems hampering car accessibility from the ring-road to the city centre of Utrecht?

3. What is the function of transferia in improving car accessibility to the centre of Utrecht and how can they be improved?

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Produced by:Adrian Hill

We proudly present:

Adrian Hill, Advait Jani, Eline Bugarin, Lauren Abrahams, Tahereh Keimanesh, Vahid Kiumarsi, Yingtian Zhang

Of the European Masters of Urbanism (EMU-TU Delft) IN:

“UTRECHT, A Place for knowledge”

HTTP://VIMEO.COM/19253276

Alternative ways of presentation

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✴They used ADOBE SUITE to put things together✴PREMIERE for the film✴ILLUSTRATOR for stills, plans and some of the 'stop-motion graphics'✴INDESIGN for 'stop motion graphics'✴PHOTOSHOP for perspectives✴AFTER EFFECTS for some sequences✴SOUNDBOOTH for the sound✴SKETCHUP with a plugin called PODIUM✴GOOGLE DOCS for the script + sharing info✴WORDPRESS.com for the website.

How did they do it?

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Questions? Write to r.c.rocco@tudelft.nlWith special thanks to Matt Smith (ChernobylBob) of Gloucester, UK, whose photos adorn these pages.Matt’s photographs are available at: www.flickr.com/photos/chernobylbob/

Prepared by Roberto Rocco, TU Delftr.c.rocco@tudelft.nl

Thanks!

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