THIS PAPER DESCRIBES and evaluates three research methods applicable to assessing the environmental problems facing households and communities. These are: broad spectrum household surveys, participatory rapid assessment and contingent valuation. The three methods vary greatly although all three are simple and action oriented, rather than reliant on sophisticated physical tests, and they advocate government action, grassroots activities and private sector service delivery. The paper recognizes that the three research methods are only one part of the process of comprehensive understanding of neighbourhood environmental problems and introduces the techniques in a sufficiently detailed manner in order that the reader may decide which technique would be appropriate in a given situation.

To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of each method, case studies of Jakarta – where each method has been adopted – are compared and contrasted, revealing their differences and hence their appropriateness. This is not to say that the techniques must be used exclusive of each other, as each can provide critical insights into different aspects of environmental problems. Indeed, they can be used in tandem and in sequence.

The paper begins with a general overview of environmental problems in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, to provide a framework for the subsequent analysis of the three methods of research in practice in Jakarta. After an in-depth analysis of each method, the paper provides a comparison of their strengths and then examines the possibilities of combining them. The report is a mixture of practical, technical and theoretical information and therefore will appeal to practitioners, planners and analysts.