RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND QUESTIONS

Methodology

Research Questions

RUCOSA develops through four work areas. Its overall objectives, major tasks and a brief description of the methodology used are shown in the table below.

We have analyzed some 81 projects under three regeneration programmes developed in Andalusia:

1. Urban Rehabilitation Areas of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government).
2. Areas in Need of Social Transformation of the Department of Equality, Health and Social Policy of the Government of Andalusia (Regional Government).
3. Urban Initiative promoted by the European Union and managed by the central government.

OBJECTIVE	MAIN TASKS AND METHODOLOGY			COMPARING
Analyze programmes 1	Programme Description Content analysis programmes: · Urban Rehabilitation Areas. · Areas in Need of Social Transformation. · European Programmes (Urban Initiative).			Programmes
Analyze projects 2	Characterization of contexts · Territorial delimitation. · Characterization with secondary data.	Project design · Content analysis of projects.	Development projects · Content analysis. · Comparative case studies. · Survey among project staff	Projects
Analyze results in territories 3	Territorial delimitation of ‘experimental’ and ‘equivalent’ areas Analysis of territorial and socioeconomics traits using secondary data			'Experimental' and 'equivalent' areas.
Analyze results in territories 3	'Before’ and ‘after' changes. Quasi-experimental secondary data analysis.	Contextual differences. Contextual analysis of survey among residents.		'Experimental' and 'equivalent' areas.
Shared learning 4	Urban Regeneration Project catalogue. Public access to project descriptions.	Audience. Workshop with technical equipment.	Devolution. Presentation and public debate.	Results, experience and practical knowledge.

In the RUCOSA project we have raised four research questions:

What is involved in the process of urban regeneration?

What is to be done? The contents of the actions to be carried out.

How should we go about this? The development and nature of governance processes that occur during the development of projects.

Where should this be done? The characterization of territorial contexts where urban regeneration processes are applied.

What are their results and impact?

To this end, we have compared 'experimental' and ‘equivalent areas'. They are similar urban contexts, but in the former projects have been developed whereas not in the latter.

How have 'experimental' and 'equivalent' neighbourhoods changed? We compare the change in these two types of neighbourhood in pre- and post-project development times for different aspects of quality of life and social cohesion through secondary data.

We also compare living conditions, social cohesion and participatory processes of residents in these two types of neighbourhood through survey.

What is the relationship between what is done and the results?

The characteristics of the intervention contexts, the content and nature of the actions are three fundamental elements that may help explain the results obtained from the processes of urban regeneration. The aim here is to know how these aspects are related to the results and impact of the projects.

What can be learned?

The comparison between projects in different contexts can allow us to exchange research results, but also the experience and hands-on knowledge of practitioners and/or those affected by the projects. Through seminars, workshops and public presentations our aim is to create a dynamic of shared learning amongst researchers, technical staff or any other agents involved in the projects.