Sustainable Cities and Society

Scope & Guideline

Transforming urban challenges into sustainable opportunities.

Introduction

Welcome to the Sustainable Cities and Society 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 Sustainable Cities and Society, 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
ISSN2210-6707
PublisherELSEVIER
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2011 to 2024
AbbreviationSUSTAIN CITIES SOC / Sust. Cities Soc.
Frequency8 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressRADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Sustainable Cities and Society' is dedicated to advancing the understanding, development, and implementation of sustainable urban systems. It aims to address the complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic factors in urban settings through interdisciplinary research and innovative solutions.
  1. Sustainable Urban Development:
    Focuses on strategies and practices that promote sustainable urban growth, including land use planning, infrastructure development, and community engagement.
  2. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:
    Research addressing the impacts of climate change on urban environments and exploring adaptive strategies to enhance urban resilience.
  3. Energy Management and Efficiency:
    Investigates energy consumption patterns, renewable energy integration, and energy efficiency measures in urban contexts.
  4. Public Health and Urban Wellbeing:
    Examines the relationships between urban design, public health, and social equity, emphasizing the importance of green spaces and active transportation.
  5. Smart City Technologies:
    Explores the role of smart technologies and data analytics in enhancing urban sustainability, including IoT applications, big data, and digital twins.
  6. Waste Management and Circular Economy:
    Focuses on innovative waste management solutions and the integration of circular economy principles in urban contexts.
  7. Transportation and Mobility Solutions:
    Research into sustainable transportation systems, including the integration of electric vehicles, public transit systems, and active transportation modes.
  8. Urban Ecology and Biodiversity:
    Investigates the role of urban ecosystems and biodiversity in promoting sustainability and enhancing urban resilience.
The journal is witnessing a rise in several key themes that reflect the current challenges and innovations in urban sustainability, indicating a shift towards more integrated and adaptive approaches.
  1. Integrated Urban Resilience Frameworks:
    There is a growing focus on developing comprehensive frameworks that assess and enhance urban resilience to various shocks, including climate change, pandemics, and economic shifts.
  2. Data-Driven Decision Making:
    The application of big data analytics and machine learning techniques is increasingly prevalent in urban research, enabling more informed and adaptive urban planning and management.
  3. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS):
    Research on NbS is expanding, emphasizing the role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban heat, improving air quality, and enhancing overall urban resilience.
  4. Community Engagement and Equity:
    Emerging themes around social equity and community involvement in urban sustainability initiatives are gaining traction, highlighting the importance of inclusive decision-making processes.
  5. Digital Twin Technologies:
    The adoption of digital twin technologies for urban planning and management is trending, allowing for real-time simulations and assessments of urban systems.
  6. Circular Economy Practices:
    Research focused on integrating circular economy principles into urban waste management and resource use is on the rise, reflecting a shift towards sustainability in urban economies.
  7. Sustainable Transportation Innovations:
    Emerging trends include innovations in electric and shared mobility solutions, addressing urban transportation challenges while promoting sustainability.
  8. Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments:
    Increasing attention is being given to the connections between urban design, public health, and social wellbeing, emphasizing the need for healthier urban spaces.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to evolve, certain themes have seen a decline in prominence, reflecting shifts in research focus and emerging priorities within the field of urban sustainability.
  1. Traditional Urban Planning Methods:
    Conventional urban planning approaches that do not incorporate sustainability metrics or stakeholder participation have become less emphasized as innovative, participatory methods gain traction.
  2. Single-Disciplinary Studies:
    There is a noticeable decline in studies that solely focus on one discipline without interdisciplinary approaches, as the complexity of urban issues requires multi-faceted solutions.
  3. Static Assessments of Urban Sustainability:
    Research that relies on static metrics for evaluating urban sustainability is waning in favor of dynamic, real-time assessments that incorporate changing urban conditions.
  4. Top-Down Policy Approaches:
    The reliance on top-down governance models is decreasing as community-driven and participatory governance methods are recognized as more effective in addressing urban challenges.

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