Planning Theory

Scope & Guideline

Innovating Theories for a Sustainable Future

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Planning Theory with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1473-0952
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2024
AbbreviationPLAN THEOR / Plan. Theory
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320

Aims and Scopes

The journal "Planning Theory" serves as a critical platform for advancing the discourse on planning practices, theories, and policies, emphasizing the intersection of social justice, community engagement, and innovative methodologies.
  1. Critical Examination of Planning Theories:
    The journal emphasizes critical perspectives on existing planning theories, exploring their implications for practice and policy-making.
  2. Focus on Social Justice and Equity:
    Research published in the journal frequently addresses issues of social justice, equity, and the role of planning in fostering inclusive communities.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary methodologies, integrating insights from sociology, political science, economics, and environmental studies to enrich planning discourse.
  4. Community Engagement and Participation:
    There is a strong emphasis on participatory planning processes, with research highlighting the importance of public involvement in planning decisions.
  5. Global Perspectives:
    The journal includes a diverse range of geographical contexts, particularly focusing on planning issues in the Global South, thus broadening the scope of planning theory.
  6. Innovative Planning Practices:
    Research often explores new and emerging practices in planning, including digital tools, co-production, and informal planning strategies.
The journal "Planning Theory" has identified several trending and emerging themes that reflect current societal challenges and evolving planning practices.
  1. Post-Growth and Degrowth Planning:
    Recent publications are increasingly addressing the concepts of post-growth and degrowth, emphasizing sustainable practices that challenge traditional economic growth paradigms.
  2. Digital Transformation in Planning:
    Emerging research focuses on the impact of digital technologies on planning processes, governance, and community engagement, highlighting the role of data and digital tools.
  3. Justice and Equity Frameworks:
    There is a growing interest in frameworks that promote social and spatial justice, particularly in urban development and community planning.
  4. Informal Planning Practices:
    Research on informal planning practices is gaining traction, particularly in the Global South, as scholars seek to understand the dynamics of informal settlements and community-led initiatives.
  5. Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategies:
    The journal is increasingly focusing on climate resilience, with studies exploring adaptive planning strategies that address climate change effects on urban environments.
  6. Collaborative and Co-Production Approaches:
    There is a notable trend towards collaborative planning frameworks that involve diverse stakeholders in the decision-making process, fostering greater community ownership.

Declining or Waning

While "Planning Theory" continues to evolve, certain themes have seen a decline in prominence, reflecting shifts in research focus and societal changes.
  1. Traditional Rational Planning Models:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in publications focusing on conventional rational planning models, as the field increasingly embraces more flexible and adaptive approaches.
  2. Strictly Technical Planning Approaches:
    Research that prioritizes purely technical solutions over socially informed practices has diminished, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for context-sensitive planning.
  3. Urban Development as Isolated Discipline:
    The exploration of urban planning as a standalone discipline has waned, with a shift towards more integrated approaches that consider social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
  4. Overemphasis on Quantitative Methods:
    The reliance on quantitative methodologies without qualitative insights is decreasing as the journal shifts towards more holistic approaches that capture the complexities of planning contexts.
  5. Neglect of Historical Context in Planning:
    There is a reduced focus on historical analyses of planning practices and theories, as contemporary issues and future-oriented planning dominate the discourse.

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