Planning Theory & Practice

Scope & Guideline

Cultivating a global dialogue on planning theory and practice.

Introduction

Welcome to the Planning Theory & Practice information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Planning Theory & Practice, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1464-9357
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2000 to 2024
AbbreviationPLAN THEORY PRACT / Plan. Theory Pract.
Frequency5 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

Planning Theory & Practice focuses on the intersection of theoretical frameworks and practical applications in urban and regional planning. The journal aims to address contemporary challenges in planning while promoting innovative methodologies and inclusive practices.
  1. Urban Planning and Governance:
    The journal emphasizes the complexities of urban governance, exploring how various stakeholders, including government, communities, and private sectors, interact in the planning process.
  2. Social Justice and Equity in Planning:
    A core focus is on addressing issues of social equity and justice, particularly how planning decisions impact marginalized communities and the importance of inclusive participatory practices.
  3. Sustainability and Resilience:
    The journal examines sustainable planning practices and the integration of resilience strategies in urban development, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental challenges.
  4. Innovative Planning Methodologies:
    There is a strong emphasis on the development and application of innovative methodologies, including participatory planning, co-creation, and the use of technology in enhancing planning processes.
  5. Cultural and Historical Contexts in Planning:
    The journal also explores the role of cultural and historical contexts in shaping planning practices, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and heritage in urban development.
Recent publications indicate a shift towards several emerging themes that reflect current societal challenges and innovations in the field of planning. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues.
  1. Participatory and Community-Led Planning:
    There is a growing emphasis on participatory planning processes where community voices are integral to decision-making. This trend reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and social equity in planning.
  2. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience:
    Recent papers increasingly focus on strategies for adapting urban environments to climate change, emphasizing resilience and sustainability as critical components of modern planning.
  3. Digital Engagement and Smart Technologies:
    The integration of digital tools and smart technologies in planning processes is trending, as planners explore innovative ways to enhance public participation and data-driven decision-making.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Planning:
    Emerging themes indicate a trend towards interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from sociology, geography, environmental science, and public policy to address complex urban challenges.
  5. Decolonization and Indigenous Perspectives in Planning:
    There is an increasing focus on decolonizing planning practices and integrating Indigenous perspectives, underscoring the importance of diverse cultural narratives in shaping urban futures.

Declining or Waning

While the journal has maintained a robust focus on various planning themes, some areas have seen a decline in publication frequency or prominence, reflecting changing priorities and contexts in the field.
  1. Traditional Urban Planning Models:
    There appears to be a waning interest in traditional urban planning models that emphasize top-down approaches, as contemporary discussions increasingly prioritize participatory and community-driven methodologies.
  2. Purely Economic Perspectives:
    Economic-centric planning discussions are becoming less prevalent, with a shift towards holistic approaches that integrate social, environmental, and political dimensions of planning.
  3. Rigid Regulatory Frameworks:
    There's a noticeable decline in papers focusing solely on rigid regulatory frameworks, as the field moves towards more flexible, adaptive planning approaches that respond to dynamic urban challenges.

Similar Journals

Southeastern Geographer

Advancing Insights in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Publisher: ASSOC AMER GEOGRAPHERSISSN: 0038-366XFrequency: 4 issues/year

The Southeastern Geographer is a prominent academic journal published by the Association of American Geographers, dedicated to advancing knowledge in the fields of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Geography, Planning and Development. With an ISSN of 0038-366X and an E-ISSN of 1549-6929, this journal has been a staple in geographical scholarship since its inception, offering a platform for diverse research that spans over four decades, specifically from 1979 to 1994 and then from 1996 to 2024. The journal is currently classified in the Q3 category within its fields, indicating its significant influence in shaping contemporary geographical discourse. Researchers, professionals, and students alike benefit from its rigorously peer-reviewed articles that explore regional studies, environmental issues, and sociocultural dynamics, making it essential for anyone interested in the interconnectedness of geography and society. As a vital resource for advancing geographical education and research, the Southeastern Geographer continues to engage its audience with innovative insights and scholarly contributions.

JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE

Cultivating Knowledge for Effective Urban Strategies
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INCISSN: 0885-4122Frequency: 4 issues/year

JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE, published by SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, stands as a premier journal in the field of planning, geography, and development since its inception in 1985. With an impressive impact factor and a top-tier ranking in the Q1 category as per Scopus, it is a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and students committed to advancing the discipline. The journal's scope encompasses a wide array of topics related to planning literature, offering critical insights and fostering academic discourse that serves both theoretical and practical interests. Notably, it ranks #37 out of 821 in its category, positioning it in the 95th percentile for excellence. Although it does not currently offer Open Access options, the journal's rigorous peer-reviewed content and authoritative articles make it indispensable for anyone interested in the latest developments and trends in planning studies. With its commitment to high-quality research, JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE is dedicated to shaping the future of urban and regional planning research.

Territorios

Connecting Perspectives in Geography and Urban Studies
Publisher: UNIV ROSARIOISSN: 0123-8418Frequency: 2 issues/year

Territorios, an esteemed Open Access journal published by UNIV ROSARIO in Colombia since 1999, serves as a critical platform for the dissemination of knowledge in the fields of Geography, Urban Studies, and Development Planning. With an ISSN of 0123-8418 and an E-ISSN of 2215-7484, the journal has been recognized for its commitment to promoting rigorous research and innovative practices within its scope. In the 2023 evaluation, it achieved notable rankings, placing in the Q4 category in Geography, Planning and Development, and Q3 in Urban Studies, reflecting its growing impact in the social sciences. Although currently positioned in the lower percentiles, the journal plays an important role in amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging scholarly dialogue in an ever-evolving urban landscape. The address of the journal's home is found at PROGRAMA PSICOLOGIA, FAC MED, CARRERA 24 63 C-69 QUINTA DE MUTIS, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. Researchers, professionals, and students seeking a comprehensive understanding of contemporary geographical issues and urban development trends will find Territorios to be an invaluable resource.

TOWN PLANNING REVIEW

Bridging Theory and Practice in Town Planning
Publisher: LIVERPOOL UNIV PRESSISSN: 0041-0020Frequency: 6 issues/year

TOWN PLANNING REVIEW is a prestigious academic journal published by Liverpool University Press, focusing on pivotal research in the fields of urban studies and planning. Established in 1977, this journal has become a leading platform for the exploration of contemporary urban challenges and innovative planning solutions, aligning with its impressive Q1 rankings in both Geography, Planning and Development and Urban Studies. With a Scopus rank of 73 out of 279 in Urban Studies, it holds a strong presence in the academic community, making significant contributions to the scholarship and practice of town planning. Although it is not an open-access journal, it continues to reach a global audience by disseminating high-quality, peer-reviewed research. Researchers, professionals, and students interested in advancing their understanding of urbanization processes, planning methodologies, and policy implications will find TOWN PLANNING REVIEW an invaluable resource as it bridges theoretical insights and practical applications in the dynamic landscape of urban development.

Planlama-Planning

Pioneering Research for Sustainable Communities
Publisher: KARE PUBLISSN: 1300-7319Frequency: 3 issues/year

Planlama-Planning is a distinguished journal published by KARE PUBL, dedicated to the evolving field of urban and regional planning. With its ISSN 1300-7319, it provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, and students to share innovative research and comprehensive reviews on critical planning issues and methodologies. Situated in Istanbul, Turkiye, the journal aims to facilitate discussions that address contemporary challenges in planning and promote sustainable development. Although currently not an open-access journal, it upholds rigorous peer-review standards to ensure high-quality publications. With a commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration across disciplines, Planlama-Planning stands as a crucial resource for those engaged in shaping cities and communities worldwide.

Planning Theory

Advancing the Frontiers of Urban Planning
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INCISSN: 1473-0952Frequency: 4 issues/year

Planning Theory is a premier scholarly journal published by SAGE Publications Inc, based in the United Kingdom. Established in 2002, this journal has quickly risen to prominence in the field of geography, planning, and development, achieving a notable Q1 quartile ranking in the 2023 category, alongside an impressive Scopus rank of #85 out of 821, placing it in the 89th percentile in its discipline. With a robust focus on innovative planning methodologies, theoretical discussions, and practical implications, Planning Theory serves as a vital platform for researchers, practitioners, and students alike, fostering discourse that shapes the future of urban and regional planning. While it operates under a subscription model, the journal's contribution to the academic community remains invaluable, providing critical insights into emerging trends and challenges in planning. As it converges toward 2024, the journal continues to champion the integration of theoretical and practical perspectives within the complex landscape of spatial planning.

PROGRESS IN PLANNING

Fostering Excellence in Urban Planning Scholarship
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTDISSN: 0305-9006Frequency: 8 issues/year

PROGRESS IN PLANNING is a premier academic journal published by PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, renowned for its impactful contributions to the fields of geography, urban planning, and development. With an impressive impact factor situating it in the Q1 quartile of its category for 2023, this journal ranks a notable #38 out of 821 in the Scopus listings, placing it in the 95th percentile within the realm of social sciences. Since its inception in 1973, the journal has established itself as a critical platform for the dissemination of innovative research and practical insights, fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary urban challenges and planning strategies. Although currently not offering open access, PROGRESS IN PLANNING continues to attract a diverse array of submissions, providing a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and students seeking to advance their knowledge and contribute to the evolution of planning practices worldwide.

EUROPEAN PLANNING STUDIES

Transforming Planning Discourse Across Europe
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 0965-4313Frequency: 12 issues/year

EUROPEAN PLANNING STUDIES is a leading journal in the field of urban studies, published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd. Since its inception in 1993, this esteemed publication has been pivotal in advancing the discourse on geographical, planning, and developmental issues across the European landscape. With a commendable 2023 Q1 rating in the Geography, Planning, and Development category and a remarkable rank of #88 out of 821 in Scopus, the journal is recognized for its rigorous peer-reviewed articles that provide innovative insights and critical analyses. Although the journal does not offer open access, it caters to a diverse readership, including researchers, professionals, and students, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of contemporary planning challenges and strategies. The journal's objectives include fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among planners, policymakers, and academics, making it an essential resource for those engaged in shaping sustainable urban environments and informed spatial governance in Europe and beyond.

Urban Research & Practice

Transforming Urban Research into Practical Solutions
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 1753-5069Frequency: 5 issues/year

Urban Research & Practice is a premier academic journal published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, dedicated to the interconnected fields of Urban Studies and Geography, Planning and Development. Established in 2008, this journal has rapidly established itself as a vital resource, achieving a Q1 category ranking in both fields as of 2023, demonstrating its leading role in shaping contemporary urban research. With a Scopus ranking that places it within the top 20% of journals in Urban Studies and the top 22% in Geography, it attracts high-impact contributions from scholars and practitioners alike. Although it currently does not offer Open Access options, the journal is committed to disseminating innovative research that addresses the complex challenges of urban environments, fostering insights that are essential for informed decision-making and sustainable urban development. Researchers, professionals, and students will find comprehensive analyses, case studies, and theoretical explorations that enrich the understanding of urban dynamics in today's ever-evolving landscapes.

Italian Journal of Planning Practice

Advancing urban knowledge through innovative planning practices.
Publisher: ITALIAN JOURNAL PLANNING PRACTICEISSN: 2239-267XFrequency:

Italian Journal of Planning Practice is a premier Open Access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge in the fields of architecture, geography, planning, and urban studies. Published by the Italian Journal Planning Practice, this journal has been a vital platform for scholarly discourse since its inception in 2011, providing a rich repository of research that reflects contemporary issues in urban development and planning practices. With an ISSN of 2239-267X and operating from Rome, Italy, the journal serves a global audience, enhancing accessibility and fostering collaboration among researchers, professionals, and students alike. While currently positioned in the Q4 category across key disciplines, it continues to strive for excellence, encouraging submissions that push the boundaries of knowledge. As an Open Access journal, it promotes unrestricted access to its content, empowering a wider audience to engage with its findings and perspectives. In a rapidly changing urban landscape, the Italian Journal of Planning Practice stands as a crucial resource for innovative planning methodologies and research insights.