The document outlines the importance of a well-defined problem statement in academic research, particularly in spatial planning and design. It emphasizes the need for the problem to be clear, relevant, and potentially transferable to other contexts, while also ensuring it is manageable within the framework of a master's course. Additionally, it presents a specific example related to improving connectivity and competitiveness for the city of Utrecht, along with sub-research questions to guide the study.

1. All problems are
opportunities in
disguise
Problem statement
Prepared by Roberto Rocco
Chair Spatial Planning and Strategy, TU Delft
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2. ANY Academic endeavour
starts with a question
Generic criteria
Biggs & Buchler, 2008
✤ Question (and answer)
Question Answer
✤ Method
✤ Knowledge Methods
✤ Audience AUDIENCE
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3. 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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4. 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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. ✴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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11. 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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12. Perception + contradiction
A clear and interesting statement of the
problem at hand, in the form of:
But
(A) However, (B)
Perception, fact, Although Perception, fact,
value or belief In contrast value or belief
In spite of
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13. Start by introducing the context
highlighting the possibilities
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).
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14. But then introduce a problem or
a set of problems
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.
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15. DON’T YOU FEEL
LIKE ASKING A
QUESTION AT THE
END OF THE LAST
SLIDE? WHAT
WOULD THAT
QUESTION BE?
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16. That’s
your research
question!
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17. 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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18. 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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19. Narrowed down research
questions
1. 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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20. Alternative ways of presentation
We proudly present:
Produced by:
Adrian Hill, Advait Jani, Eline Bugarin, Lauren Abrahams,
Adrian Hill
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
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21. How did they do it?
✴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.
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22. Thanks!
Questions? Write to
r.c.rocco@tudelft.nl
With 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 Delft
r.c.rocco@tudelft.nl
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