Group 3 Specific Learning Outcome:
Attain Competency in the gathering and critical analysis of information, using such techniques as interviewing, observation and researching primary and secondary sources.
Assignment
Problem Statement
The market is an innovative urban space for a variety of activities and events. There are restaurants, retailers and community gardens. In this assignment, we will use techniques of interviewing, observation and literature review to collect and analyze data on people’s response to the site. We will consider such questions as: Who uses the site? Why? What are the experiences of the vendors and users? Should such ventures be in other parts of the city?
Task
Visit the Dekalb Market and collect data to determine what Brooklyn residents, commuters and tourists would like to see the space developed into. Us e the survey provided to interview people but do not limit yourself to the survey, make observations of the area and use any other appropriate resources available to you.
Format
Each group will present their findings and conclusions verbally and will provide supporting documents for their conclusion.
Schedule
9:30-10:00 Faculty Commons (Karen and Robin)
10:00-10:15 Reading Assignment
10:15-11:15 Walk over to Dekalb Market as a group. Upon arrival, fellows will work in groups of 3 to collect data for their analysis.
11:30 Fellows due back in Faculty Commons. Groups will be provided with all the data collected to prepare their presentations using laptops.
12:15 Lunch(Please bring your own lunch)
12:45 Group Presentation of Findings
1:15 Wrap-Up
DeKalb Market
The market is an innovative urban space for a variety of activities and events. There are restaurants, retailers and community gardens. In this assignment, we will use techniques of interviewing, observation and literature review to collect and analyze data on people’s response to the site. We will consider such questions as: Who uses the site? Why? What are the experiences of the vendors and users? Should such ventures be in other parts of the city?
For Friday, please read the starred items. There are also lengthy bibliographies if you wish to explore these techniques further. With thanks Maura Smale.
DeKalb Market: A Reading List
*DeKalb Market
Especially read the about and urban space sections
*Fabricant, Florence “DeKalb Market Opening in Brooklyn”, New York Times, July 19, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/dining/dekalb-market-opening-in-brooklyn.html
*DeKalb Market, Yelp: Real Comments, Real People
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dekalb-market-brooklyn
Overview of Techniques
*Interviews, observation and literature reviews are methods of ethnographic research. Ethnography is the study of people in their own environment through the use of methods such as participant observation and face-to-face interviewing. For an overview, go to
http://www.nps.gov/ethnography/aah/aaheritage/ERCf.htm
Interviews
*An excellent discussion of using interviewing
http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/interviews/inthome.htm
Read sections A, B1 and B4
Observation
*Browse through this article for some insights into the technique of observation
http://web2.ges.gla.ac.uk/~elaurier/texts/PART-OB.pdf
For a more comprehensive discussion and bibliography, go to
http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/observation/obshome.htm
Readings and Refernces
Links to current and historic info on Albee Square Development
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/pedestrian_projects.shtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/nyregion/13albee.html?_r=1
http://www.johnvdinanassociates.com/city-point-at-albee-square.html
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/30/dtg_citypointbegins_2010_07_23_bk.html
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/dwn_bklyn_ped/index.shtml
http://www.demolitionforum.com/industry-news-3/albee-square-mall-headed-demolition-2029/
http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/sct0604/page15.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/dining/dekalb-market-opening-in-brooklyn.html
