Observation grid

The observation grid is a tool used to document the different uses of a site at different times of the day and by different groups of people: women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, street traders, etc. The grid must be adapted to the project or context. The grid needs to be adapted to suit the project or context.

The grid can be used during the diagnostic phase to identify pre-existing uses. It can also be useful during a post- or mid-intervention assessment of uses to evaluate how uses have evolved and which facilities are or are not used by site users, or by specific groups, so that the sites can then be adapted to better meet needs.

The observation grid facilitates the collection of data on the uses of a site. It can therefore either replace or supplement the collection of this information through an exploratory walk.
Observation is the best way of finding out how the site is being used, but it is not enough on its own. If it is found that a certain group is not using the space, or that there are certain times of the day when the site is not being used, we then need to try and understand why. Interviews or focus groups can complete the process.