FROM DESIGN STUDIO TO PUBLICATION: TRANSFORMING RESEARCH APPROACH IN URBAN PLANNING TOWARD INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Abstract

Abstract: Data-driven planning and publication in
international journals are becoming global standards. In
Vietnam, planning education often focuses on design skills, while
research capacity is emphasized only at the postgraduate level,
creating a gap for students who wish to study abroad or pursue
academic development. This study proposes a process to utilize
the potential of design studio projects and transform them into
scientific papers, serving students and young planners aspiring
to publish internationally. The process includes: (1) clarifying
the differences between the two cognitive logics; (2) introducing
contemporary research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative,
mixed-methods, and comparative); (3) guiding academic writing
using the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and
Discussion); and (4) proposing integrative solutions for developing
a research ecosystem. The aim is to create opportunities to convert
design projects into research outputs, improve the quality of
planning reports, and establish an academic foundation for
Vietnam’s urban planning discipline.