City studies

Critical Reading Report and Policy Research Proposal
5-6 Pages Double Spaced (1,500 words)

This assignment has two components:
Part 1) a critical reading report, where you will engage with the findings from three academic articles on your topic, and Part
2) a policy report proposal, where you will choose and justify a case study related to the Scarborough Transit Extension and aligned with your research group topic.

(The research group topic is “Commercial and Retail Group”.This group will focus on new transit development policy and retail. Students in this group will look
at the impact of transit-oriented development (TOD) on existing business communities as well as commercial gentrification, meaning the increase in new and increasingly expensive shopping landscapes. )

Articles about the research group topic:
Chapple, Karen, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Silvia R. Gonzalez, Dov Kadin, and Joseph Poirier (2017) “Transit-oriented development & commercial gentrification: exploring the linkages.”

Hackworth, Jason, and Josephine Rekers. (2005) “Ethnic packaging and gentrification: The case of four neighborhoods in Toronto.” Urban Affairs Review 41, no. 2: 211-236.

Rankin, Katharine N., and Heather McLean. (2015) “Governing the commercial streets of the city: New terrains of disinvestment and gentrification in Toronto’s inner
suburbs.” Antipode 47(2) 216-239.

Also Read: https://hazlitt.net/longreads/saving-little-jamaica

Part 1: Critical Reading Report (3 pages)

In the critical reading report portion of the assignment, you will provide an overview of three academic papers on your topic in your own words . You will provide a “critical review” of these papers. This means you will identify the main themes, concepts, debates, and research methods in the papers, and then give a holistic account of the “state of the research field.” Please avoid passively summarizing of the articles – your report should be engaging and include your own active analysis of the papers. The critical reading report will include the following:
1) An introductory paragraph (1 paragraph total): This paragraph introduces the reader to the topic and provides them with some context for why this issue is important to the study of cities and city politics.

2) A discussion of each article (1-2 paragraphs per article; 3-5 paragraphs total): In this section you will briefly discuss each paper individually, highlighting the most important points and findings from that article. You can also discuss the methods that the researchers used to generate this academic knowledge. You should demonstrate your clear understanding of the material while highlighting the information that you found to be the most relevant, interesting, and compelling. You can also discuss any perceived shortcomings with the research or areas that need further study and clarification. Finally identify the paper that you found to the be the most engaging out of the three, and state why this paper stood out to you.

3) Holistic and applied overview of the field (1-2 paragraphs total): In this section you will bring together the three papers and discuss their overall relevance for transit policy in Scarborough. This is where you will begin to get creative! What things did you learn about other cities or other parts of Toronto that might be relevant to incoming Transit-Oriented Development in Scarborough? What questions might we ask policy makers about the potential impacts of new development on the city? Here you will demonstrate that you both understand the academic literature on the topic and can apply it to inquire about a local policy issue.

Part 2: Policy Report Proposal: Developing a Case Study (2-3 pages)

Building on Part 1 of the assignment, the policy report proposal will outline a case study that you will use to explore a topic related to the Scarborough Transit Extension . A case study is a form of research that involves using a particular example or instance to illustrate a broader point or theory. For example, a researcher might undertake a case study of a specific street of ethnic- owned businesses in Scarborough to explore and understand the phenomenon of commercial gentrification in the suburbs. To investigate your case, you will propose to carry out background research (engaging with further academic literature) and observational research (original data collection). Observational research is a way to collect data through methods like observing and taking notes in a relevant location, analyzing newspaper reports or social media data, looking at policy reports or other city documents, or another method of your choosing . Please note that you are not allowed to speak directly to or interview individuals as part of this project. More information about how to pick a case and research method will be given in class.

1) Introduce and outline your own topical case study (2-3 paragraphs total): This section will introduce the reader to your proposed case study and how it fits with the existing literature on the topic. Your case study topic should flow from the previous discussion and fit with your discussion in Part 1 of the assignment. Your case study is specific, and not a general topic, which means you should identify the geographic location, the people involved, and the historical context of the policy issue you are analyzing (for example, “housing in Scarborough” is not nearly specific enough; “the use of density incentives to fund community centers in condominium projects near Scarborough Town Center” is a good amount of specificity).

2) Plan your observational research (2-3 paragraphs total): In this section you will plan to conduct your observational research. What data will you draw on in your case study? How will you go about collecting and analyzing this data? Be as specific as possible and try to come up with a few potential options. For this section, you should brainstorm with your group members to come up with and float your ideas. While your observational research will likely evolve and change throughout the term, it is important to plan early on.

2) Identify further academic sources (1 paragraph): In the final section you will identify two additional academic sources for the literature review of the final policy report. These sources can be found by engaging with the three readings on the topic I have provided. The sources you identify should help you build the case for why your research is important both from a personal and academic standpoint. I will discuss how to find relevant literature in class.
3)
*A Note on Thinking Creatively and Originally: The major assignment for this course will be evaluated based on your ability to engage with existing academic knowledge on a policy issue, and to develop your own research project that is creative and original. Thinking creatively is challenging. We will look for evidence that you have approached the topic with a willingness to think outside of the box, take risks, and add something new and creative to the conversation on Scarborough’s Transit Extension.

Formatting:
General formatting – The paper should be 5-6 pages, double-spaced, font size equivalent to 12 pt Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins. This is equivalent to roughly 1500 words.
Referencing – Please use American Psychological Association (APA) formatting for your paper. Please follow APA style for both the in-text citations and for the bibliography.