Comparative Analysis of Housing Affordability and Urban Planning in Beijing and New York City

RESEARCH PAPER TOPIC

Virtually every city in the world is plagued by a myriad of social, economic, and political problems including poverty, homelessness, violence and crime, unequal educational access and poor schools, race and gender discrimination in housing and labor markets, spatial mismatches and transportation deficiencies, a lack of social services, administrative fragmentation, fiscal constraints, and poor planning, just to name a few. 

For your 10-page research paper, you have a CHOICE to either define and develop a research paper yourself OR follow a preset assignment. Both options give you a great amount of flexibility so we urge you to work closely with your discussion leader on developing a suitable and doable paper topic and submit a research paper proposal by Oct. 15. 

OPTION 1: SET RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT: URBAN COMPARISON

For your paper, select one City (your choice) and focus on one particular urban problem (your choice) and compare the situation to that in New York City with the overall goal to show what both cities can learn from each other in ways to alleviate or overcome such problems. To properly structure your paper, address the following issues: 

1. Write a concise introduction that identifies the urban problem of your choice and why addressing it is an important task (–> generate interest!)
2. Describe the nature and extent of this problem in comparative perspective comparing the situation in New York City with that in the city of your choice (–> establish a basis and rationale for the comparison)
3. Delineate the main similarities and differences between the cities and what they imply for potential solutions for such problems; (–> provide an analysis and link to solutions!)
4. Outline possible solutions to the urban problem you have presented; (–> move from theory to action!)
5. Conclude by stating what both cities can learn from one another (–> lead out of the topic)

The choice of both city and urban problem (and defining it) is ultimately up to you, your personal interests, and your experiences. We recommend you select a city you are familiar with (i.e. your hometown, a place you have lived) or a place for which information is readily available and focus on a topic that you either have some expertise in, which will hold your interest, or for which, again, information is available. We are recommending this for reasons of time and thus keeping your project doable.  

OPTION 2: SELF-DEFINED RESEARCH PAPER

To give you utmost flexibility, you are free to design your own research paper topic on any urban issue of your choice.  Like any good paper, your paper should contain 1) a proper introduction that tells the reader what the paper is about, b) a problem statement ( i.e. review of the existing literature/information on the topic), c) a methodology section (i.e. discussion of the empirical basis, esp. if you conduct your own research), d) a discussion of findings and results (i.e. the empirical body of your paper), and e) a proper conclusion. Given that such independent, self-designed research paper endeavors can be tricky, your research idea must be approved by either your discussion section leader or the instructor prior to writing and submitting a proposal and no later than Oct. 08. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION (ALL PAPERS):

• Every student – regardless of research paper format – must submit a Research Paper Proposal by Oct. 15.  The proposal should identify your topic or, in the preset assignment, the city and urban problem of your choice and include a concise argument, a preliminary literature review, and a rough outline and will constitute 10 percent of the course grade. The proposal will ensure that you are on track and that your project is doable. 
•  The actual paper is DUE November 22 @ noon (revised deadline) at noon and must be uploaded onto your Discussion Section’s Canvas/Assignment as either a Word or PDF document. Timely submission will result in the possibility to revise and resubmit the papers. The absolute deadline before penalties apply in December 03. Please note that Papers received between Nov. 22 and Dec. 03 will not be granted an opportunity to to revise and be graded as is!
• The research paper will be worth 30 percent of the course grade.
• A late penalty – 1 grade point (i.e. A- to B+) –  applies for each day the paper is late after the December 03 deadline unless an extension has been requested and granted in advance. 
• To avoid being late, start your research early, be mindful of time-management, and communicate in advance if you foresee any problems or setbacks. Avoid procrastination and last minute efforts!!!!

INSTRUCTIONS ON FORMAT AND PRESENTATION (ALL PAPERS)

•  The paper (written portion) should be at least 10 pages in length, excluding bibliography, images, and title page;
• The paper should be evenly spaced (1 1/2) with one inch margins and should contain page numbers;
• You must use at least four references other than those used in the course – reputable internet sources count as references; You are further encouraged to use illustrations (i.e. tables, maps, pictures) whenever feasible. 
• You are encouraged but not required to conduct and include primary research data (i.e. original interviews, surveys, etc.), If you do, make sure to talk with your instructor or your discussion leaders first.
•  Attach a bibliography (i.e. full reference) and adhere to established citation rules (see tips below). 

GUIDELINES RE. PLAGIARISM AND USE OF GENERATIVE AI

• You are encouraged to work collaboratively but you must write your own paper.
• Any form of plagiarism is strictly prohibited. If you get caught for plagiarism, you will receive an F in the course and I will report you to the appropriate administrative entities who will determine if you get dismissed from the University. I will make no exceptions. For more information about the consequences of plagiarism, please read the Policy on Academic Honesty in the Student handbook. 
• You are permitted to use generative AI (i.e. Chat GPT) but you MUST properly cite the AI tool you are using by revealing the tool as author,  the exact prompts as title, the date/time you visited the corresponding site, and the URL. Not disclosing the use of AI constitutes plagiarism and will be treated as such (see above). I also expect students to fact check information generated through AI as most generative AI tools are notoriously inaccurate. 

HELP WITH YOUR RESEARCH PAPER:

• Discussion sessions during Week 3 and 6 will be conducted as workshops in which your discussion leaders will provide you with tips on how to conduct research on urban themes and where to find information. In Canvas Module “Urban Links and Resources” you can find a number of links to governmental, non-governmental, and academic resources with particular focus on New York City that may help you get started with your research.
• If you need advice for your research paper, please contact your discussion section leaders or your instructor and feel free to come to her/his hours and bring a detailed outline, not the entire document since there won’t be enough time for me to read it. We can discuss the outline. Alternatively, send me a detailed outline via email.
• Discussion sessions during Week 11 will be conducted as Workshops dedicated to writing effective research papers and will address common problems associated with writing including coherence, grammar and spelling, referencing, and properly revising research papers. You are further encouraged to read the How-to Guide on Writing. 
•  If you are having problems with writing and language (grammar, spelling), you are encouraged to use to take advantage of the university learning center, located at 66W 12^th Street, 6^th To make an appointment, you can e-mail the learning center at [email protected] or call 212.229.5121. For further information, please visit the Writing Center web site: http://www.newschool.edu/learning-center/ . We strongly recommend that you vist their “virtual handout drawer” which contains useful yet concise information on all kings of issues pertaining to writing and proper referencing your research papers. 
•  If you seek help, make sure you do so early enough so that you actually have time to make the changes or incorporate the suggestions.
• If you need an extension, contact the instructor in advance, otherwise a late penalty will be applied (one grade point per day);

 and This my Proporsal