Grounded theory as an approach to explore the use of public open spaces to enhance the cities’ resilience to disasters

Abstract

Grounded theory is a popular research method in social science researches, yet comparatively unfamiliar in the planning and designing literature. However, the use of grounded theory in exploring new concepts and theories from the gathered data, allows to bring unique benefits to the research as well as many challenges and criticisms. Within this context, this paper explores the benefits, challenges and criticisms of using grounded theory as the research method within the research fields of urban planning and disaster resilience. Specifically, the paper analyses the use of grounded theory within the research of exploring the use of public open spaces to enhance the cities’ resilience to disasters. First, the paper presents the factors effected to make the decision of selecting grounded theory as the research method in this particular research. Followed by the elements of the selected version of grounded theory. Then the discussion flows through the benefits, challenges and criticisms of using grounded theory within the research study. Finally, the findings suggest set of strategies that can be used to harness the potentials and to overcome the criticisms and challenges of using grounded theory as the research method within the field of planning and designing.