Town and Regional Planning

Scope & Guideline

Connecting research with real-world planning.

Introduction

Welcome to the Town and Regional Planning 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 Town and Regional Planning, 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
ISSN1012-280x
PublisherUNIV FREE STATE, DEPT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNING
Support Open AccessYes
CountrySouth Africa
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2019 to 2024
AbbreviationTOWN REG PLAN / Town Reg. Plan.
Frequency2 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPO BOX 339, BLOEMFONTEIN 9300, SOUTH AFRICA

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Town and Regional Planning' focuses on the interdisciplinary study of urban and regional development, addressing a wide range of socio-economic, environmental, and governance issues. Its aim is to contribute to sustainable planning practices and policies that promote inclusivity, resilience, and community engagement in urban and regional contexts.
  1. Sustainable Urban Development:
    Research on strategies and policies that promote sustainable development in urban areas, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
  2. Community Engagement and Participation:
    Exploration of the role of community participation in planning processes, emphasizing participatory approaches that empower local populations.
  3. Land Use Planning and Management:
    Studies related to land-use planning, zoning, and the management of urban spaces, including the integration of environmentally sensitive areas.
  4. Social Justice and Equity in Planning:
    Investigation of issues related to social justice, housing rights, and equitable access to resources in urban settings.
  5. Impact of Climate Change:
    Research examining the effects of climate change on urban areas and strategies for adaptation, particularly in the context of informal settlements.
  6. Regional Planning Policies:
    Analysis of regional development policies and their impact on spatial planning and economic development within various geopolitical contexts.
The journal has seen a rise in interest in several emerging themes that reflect current global challenges and shifts in planning paradigms. These trends are indicative of the changing landscape in urban and regional planning and highlight areas of growing importance.
  1. Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience:
    Increasing attention is being paid to the impacts of climate change and the need for urban resilience, particularly in informal settlements, as planners seek to address vulnerabilities in rapidly urbanizing areas.
  2. Inclusive Urban Development:
    Recent publications emphasize inclusivity in urban development, particularly concerning housing rights and community engagement in planning processes, reflecting a growing awareness of social equity.
  3. Public Participation and Governance:
    There is a notable trend towards exploring mechanisms for enhancing public participation in planning, with research focusing on how governance frameworks can support collaborative planning efforts.
  4. Urban Identity and Landscape Management:
    Emerging studies are focusing on the importance of urban identity and landscape management, particularly in the context of urban renewal and the preservation of cultural heritage.
  5. Cross-Border Regional Planning:
    Research on cross-border regional planning is gaining traction, particularly in the context of security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development in regions like Southern Africa.

Declining or Waning

As the field of urban and regional planning evolves, some themes have shown a decline in prominence within the publications of 'Town and Regional Planning'. This section highlights those areas that seem to be receiving less attention in recent years.
  1. Traditional Infrastructure Planning:
    There is a noticeable decline in studies focusing solely on traditional infrastructure planning, as the journal shifts towards more integrated and sustainable approaches that consider social and environmental factors.
  2. Top-Down Planning Approaches:
    Research emphasizing top-down planning methodologies is waning, reflecting a broader trend towards community-driven and participatory planning practices.
  3. Focus on Economic Growth Alone:
    Themes centered solely on economic growth, without considering environmental and social dimensions, appear to be less frequent, indicating a shift towards more holistic planning perspectives.
  4. Historical Urban Studies:
    While still relevant, historical analyses of urban development are receiving less emphasis compared to contemporary issues such as climate change and social justice.
  5. Conventional Transportation Planning:
    Research focusing on traditional transportation planning, particularly car-centric models, is declining in favor of discussions around sustainable and non-motorized transport solutions.

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