Fieldwork methods

In urban geography

Goal• Can we prove that Fridhemsplan is the ”CBD” for this part of Kungsholmen

by carrying out a storefront analysis along Skt Eriksgatan, and a pedestrian count at selected locations?

• Possible answers:

• 1. yes, there is a clear difference in characteristics of Sankt Eriksgatan as it approaches Fridhemsplan

• 2. no, since it is not the CBD of Stockholm, Sankt Eriksgatan does not exhibit any significant change as it approaches Fridhemslplan

Refer to pages 430 – 433 in the coursebook (Geography: an Integrated Approach)

Core of the CBD - characteristics• More than 33 percent of buildings are connected with retailing• Major retail outlets (chain brands e.g Zara)• Department stores (Åhlens, NK, Mood, Gallerian, P.U.B. etc.)• Specialist shops (can only survive where there are many customers) e.g. exclusive

brand stores, luxury goods etc.• High proportion of main offices• High-rise office blocks • High concentration of pedestrians• High concentration of traffic• Fewer residences• Fewer (or no) restaurents • Meeting point for communications (road, rail, metro)• Undergoes constant change due to market forces• Main transport terminals are either underground or outside of the core

Inner core – less diverse

• Department stores• Offices – usually banks and corporations• Specialist shops• Chain stores

Outer core – more diverse

• Offices – usually banks and corporations• Specialist shops• Supermarkets• Chain stores• Theatres and cinemas• Restaurents• Smaller shops

Outside of the CBD core• Bus terminals• Second-hand and charity shops• Museums• Government buildings and

public services• Car dealerships (except luxury

brands)• Theatres and cimemas• Schools, hospitals etc• Conveniance goods e.g

supermarkets

Basically..

• Land value is highest• Space is at a premium• So only those with the highest profits or daily

turnover can afford to be there

Method 1. Storefront analysis

• Plot shops: if more than 33% of buildings in an area are connected to retailing it is CBD (both inner and outer core)

• Average storefront: measure store front for each block and calculate the average size for each block – average storefront size gets bigger as you approach the CBD

Step 1: planning• Decide how much of the street you will examine (start and

stop point) use google maps or eniro streetview

• Use a digital map to identify the buildings and junctions on your street

• Sketch out the street by hand – it does not need to be to scale, marking each individual building

• Create a chart where you can record your data (do by hand or print a digital version)

Step 2: measuring

• Walk the street, 1 block at a time• Record the following:

– Number of shops at street level– Number of restaurents at street level– Number of offices at street level

• Estimate (by pacing) the length of the front of each of the above

• Do not measure street-level entrances to upper stories

Street profile

• You can map the street by drawing a street profile to scale

Nygatan 42-5425% retail15% food service60% residential

Nygatan 56-7045% retail10% food service40% office

Nygatan 42-5450% retail5% food service45% 0ffice

Or a map (preferably both)

Nygatan 56-7045% retail10% food service40% office

In your groups…

• Choose a section of Sankt Eriksgatan that you think will be long enough and that you have time to study

• Try to find if a section of the street runs through the inner core, or if it is entirely in the outer core

• Decide which side of the street you will measure (don’t do both)

• Walk the street, count shops/offices and measure storefronts

Method 2. Planning a pedestrian count

Why count pedestrians?

• Estimate number of pedestrians in different places

• Estimate number of pedestrians at different times

• Estimate typical pedestrian routes• Estimate peak pedestrian movement• Find most popular pedestrian destinations• Plan pedestrian control

Who should we count?

• Both directions?• Groups or individuals?• Only one age group?• Only one gender?• Children with parents?• Depends on reason for the

count• Most important is that all

counters are in agreement with each other

One person or two?

How to count

• Use a tally counter

Mechanical method Modern versionBut now….Cellphones do everything

And you can mail results to each other

Planning

• You need to count at several points simultaneously

• Your results will then identify which points have the highest concentration of pedestrians

Choosing counting points

• Depends upon the goal of your pedestrian count• Should be chosen at a ”normal” time

– Not special holidays (unless you are measuring holiday traffic)

– Not at lunchtime (unless you are trying to find a good location for a lucnch restaurent)

– Not too early in the morning if you are investigating retail– Etc

• Only choose suitable streets– If you are looking at retail, only measure retail streets

How long?

• Minumum 15 minutes– Points need to be counted simultaneously

• Separate counts need to be done as close to each other as possible– You can share information

Task for practice

• Measure pedestrian movement along Sankt Eriksgatan

• Which location is most popular, and why?

What to do (suggested)

• You will be working in groups• Plan two or three counts, each 15 minutes

long• Counts at different locations need to be

simultaneous• Repeating the same count 2 or 3 times allows

you to compare and see if results are similar

Collating results• Share your results with each

other

• draw a map, using a suitable digital programme

• Mark on the map the number of pedestrians and the location of the measuring points

• See the next slide for more detailed instructions

Final written workFor the group:• Briefly explain the two methods• Show results using maps and diagrams• Write a brief conclusion explaining what you have found outIndividual:• write a reflection including the following:

– Looking back on your planning and then the actual data collecting, what should have been done better to provide better results?

– In general, what was the most difficult with the methods, and why? – What have you learned about planning and carrying out this type of assignment?– What uses can you see for these methods now that you have practiced them?

– You don’t have to answer all of these questions separately, but make sure that they are included in your reflection