| Research | |
The research methodology for the project is multi-pronged.
The effort has been to use a variety of methods from social science: ethnography,
interviews and focused-group-discussions; techniques from the disciplines
of film, photography and architecture, particularly acknowledging the
value of visual documentation; and media analysis. We used two kinds of research methodology: a) conventional methods from the social sciences and urban planning and b) participatory research techniques The conventional techniques included locality studies, ethnography and mapping. These provided us with extensive and intensive information about the city through interviews, focus-group discussions, participant observation, architectural mapping, city planning data, secondary sources in the media and scholarly literature on the city. Since our aim was not only to collect data towards our research but also to engage in advocacy and to initiate a more public debate in the city, we deliberately chose to use more participatory techniques to compliment our conventional methodologies. The techniques used as part of the participatory research process included film techniques, photography and pedagogy. For us, participatory research is part of a philosophical and ethical position to engage with research in a manner where the users of space are seen as partners in the process of research. • Localities |