33 2.3 Method of research and analysis: Selection of case studies and comparative analysis The starting point implies the collection of data necessary to build our case. This process was particularly challenging because while there was a lot of data on Dubai exporting urban models’ postdevelopment, the open data and research available on Dubai importing urban models during its development was scarce even though true and evident. To build our case we collected information on Dubai as well as our selected cities, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from which there could be possible importation. We selected, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as we observed they had similar growth patterns and through further analysis realized that all three cities have downtowns with similar urban fabric and features. From here we narrowed down our study area to downtowns and their surroundings studying in detail all the urban features, natural and manmade in and around the downtown areas. We also selected Boxpark and City Walk other emerging examples of urban models which have been in circulation in many major cities for some years now. Yet again another challenge we faced was with the quality of open data available. Considering the chosen scale of analysis (downtowns and surroundings), it was poor and forced us to build our case from scratch. Post data collection our thesis splits into urban design analysis and urban planning analysis where we both work individually using our expertise gained over our courses. In urban planning, we select and compare in detail urban models and policies that have been circulated and verify their success. Further, this part concludes by suggesting modifications to existing policies in Dubai where the urban models may not have been a success. In urban design, we reduce our scale to user experience to study interventions made at the human scale. Again, interventions of this scale that are circulated are compared to verify their success. The study concludes with suggestions and possible guidelines for interventions that may not have been a success. Once again, our work combines to conclude the research
Mariette Llewellyn Vanessa Robin
