Windshield Surveys and Site Reconnaissancei.e., Windshield and Walking Surveys

Among the Qualitative Methods

Ethnography

Participant Observation

Field Interviews

Physical Accretion Measures

Review of Secondary Sources

Site Reconnaissance & Windshield Surveys

Based on Observation

Systematic observations

On foot, or by car

Large or small scale

Assessing general community needs

Example Objects of Study

Age, nature and condition of housing

Infrastructure needs

Presence of business (or lack thereof)

Public space

Activity

Windshield Surveys

Objective observation

Large coverage (generally) Could also be used for small areas for infrastructure

analysis

General overview

“Feel”

Site Reconnaisance

Objective

Smaller areas

More diligent observation / assessment

Feel

Street Life

How?

Determine who will conduct the survey

Decide on the questions to be answered

Decide on the areas you will include

Decide when the survey will be conducted

Train

Decide on what to examine