A History of International Comparison

As a hybrid discipline centrally involved in addressing issues of global concern, urban planning is, by definition, international and multidisciplinary. Through their training urban planners are conversant with qualitative and quantitative methodologies; they acquire the essential mindsets enabling them to understand the concepts, theories and terminology commonly used in their constituent disciplines. While competently exploiting the tools afforded by new technologies, urban planners are able to communicate effectively with multiple cross-sectoral stakeholders. The chapter explores four clusters of questions: What is meant by international comparative research, and what, if anything, distinguishes it from comparative multidisciplinary research and studies over time? What comparative methodological approaches are most appropriate for urban planners undertaking international comparative studies? How can the technical and conceptual issues raised by international comparisons be resolved in practice? And why should urban planners be interested in using evidence from their findings to inform policy?