Chapter II: Methodology

I. Methods of Inquiry

The research conducted was done by means of logical

argumentation in designing the redevelopment of the Igorot Park.
Based from the data gathered and interpreted by quantitative and
qualitative methods. The researchers started the study by conducting
an on-site observation of the existing Igorot Park as a means of
validating the inefficiency of the existing park, at the same time as an
initial step for determining the solutions that would make the park as
income-generating and efficient. The researchers shall maximize the
use of participatory planning, a researcher-community based
collaboration to come up with a community-based design.
Simultaneously, the researchers had done individual interviews, a
qualitative method used to gain an understanding of underlying
reasons, opinions, and motivations. The respondents of this research
were specifically the users of the Igorot Park.

i. Population and Locale of the Study

The annual population growth rate of Baguio City reached 2.5%

from 2000-2007. At its present rate, the population is expected to reach
370,802 in 2015 and double in thirty (30) years. The increase of
population in Baguio City also results to the increase of park goers in
Igorot Park.
 The study considers the number of park-goers that are present
especially during peak hour demands. During peak hours, the number
of park-goers that visits in a day reaches around 831 park-goers in all
3-exits found in the existing Igorot Park. The stakeholders of the local
government units such as CEPMO respondents in validating the
inefficiency of the existing park. The insights of the stakeholders were
noted by the researchers through personal interviews.

ii. Data Gathering Tools

In order achieve the redevelopment of the Igorot Park, relevant

information about the existing park, required participatory variables,
and user preferences of both park-goers would have to be
collected. The inquiry and analysis of the data required to direct the
study are indicated below:

A. On- Site Observation

The researchers have conducted an on-site observation in

order to effectively analyze the existing function of the system.
Here, the researchers have gained a first-hand knowledge of
the activities, operations and activities on a park. Since the data
was directly collected by the researchers, this information is
unbiased and it would help shed more light on the actual
happenings in the existing park. The on-site observation would
support required variables that is not generated by agencies in
Baguio. Variables such as pedestrian count and length of stay
would have to be brought together while following a specific
format for this data to be considered valid.
 B. Personal Interview

The researchers conducted a personal interview for

stakeholders and park-goers to gather information about the
existing condition of the Igorot Park. The importance of a
face-to-face interview according to McNamara (1999) could be
useful in getting the story behind a participant’s experiences,
interviewers could pursue in-depth information about the topic,
and would be applicable for a follow-up to certain respondents
such as knowing their opinions regarding the researchers’ study.

C. Participatory Planning

A major part of the study would utilize the participatory

planning design approach, a researcher-community technique
in order to allow the community their ideas of the park. With the
acquired variables from the on-site observation, qparticipatory
planning would be able to answer questions like the length of
stay, how many times they go to the park in a month, and the
activities they do in the park.

iii. Data Gathering Procedures

There are two phases of the study to come up with appropriate

design solution for the problem. These stages are namely (1) Validating
the inefficiency of the existing park, (2) Translating the acquired data to
a possible design for the redevelopment of the Igorot Park.
Interpretation of the necessary data per phase is further explained
below

iv. Validating the Inefficiency of the Existing Urban Park

As a means of validating the insufficiency of the existing urban

park, the researchers needed to acquire the following primary data:

A. Observation

The primary method to justify the inefficiency of the existing

urban park is to observe the activities in the park. The following
activities are observed: length of stay, what time usually park-goers
visit, activities not suitable for the park, what age group usually visits,
and the presence of garbage.

B. Participatory Planning

The number of park-goers, length of stay and time of the day are
the data gathered from the observation. These are used as
variables in a collaboration study. These results are presented in a
tabular manner.
 C. Interview

The researchers interviewed several park-goers of the existing

park in different time of the day. This is to confirm from the
park-goers that the existing park is inefficient.