Urban Forum

Scope & Guideline

Shaping the Future of Urban Studies

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Urban Forum 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
ISSN1015-3802
PublisherSPRINGERNATURE
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1990 to 2024
AbbreviationURBAN FORUM / Urban Forum
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressCAMPUS, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The Urban Forum journal focuses on the multifaceted dynamics of urbanization with a particular emphasis on African contexts. It aims to provide a platform for scholarly discussions that explore the socio-economic, political, and environmental challenges faced by urban areas, while also promoting innovative solutions and inclusive urban governance.
  1. Urban Governance and Policy:
    The journal extensively covers themes related to urban governance, examining how policies are formulated and implemented in the context of rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly in Africa.
  2. Social Inclusion and Marginality:
    A significant focus is on the dynamics of social inclusion and marginality, exploring how various urban groups, including migrants, women, and informal workers, navigate city life and the implications of exclusionary practices.
  3. Sustainable Urban Development:
    Research on sustainable urban development is a core theme, addressing topics such as resource management, environmental governance, and the integration of sustainable practices in urban planning.
  4. Urban Resilience and Vulnerability:
    The journal investigates urban resilience in the face of climate change and socio-economic challenges, focusing on vulnerable populations and their adaptive strategies.
  5. Cultural and Spatial Practices:
    Exploration of cultural identities and spatial practices within urban settings is prominent, with an emphasis on how these elements shape urban life and community dynamics.
Recent publications in Urban Forum reflect emerging themes that resonate with contemporary urban challenges, particularly in the context of African cities. These trends indicate a responsiveness to current socio-political dynamics and the evolving nature of urban research.
  1. Impact of Climate Change on Urban Settings:
    There is a notable increase in studies addressing the impacts of climate change on urban areas, focusing on resilience strategies and adaptive governance to mitigate risks associated with climate variability.
  2. Informality and Urban Economies:
    Research on informal economies and the role of informal actors in urban settings is gaining momentum, highlighting their contributions to urban resilience and sustainability.
  3. Health and Wellbeing in Urban Contexts:
    The intersection of urbanization and health, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, has emerged as a critical area of focus, examining how urban environments influence health outcomes.
  4. Participatory Urbanism:
    There is a growing trend towards participatory approaches in urban planning and governance, emphasizing the role of community engagement in shaping urban policies and interventions.
  5. Migration and Urban Dynamics:
    Studies exploring the dynamics of migration, particularly in relation to urban livelihoods and social networks, are increasingly prevalent, reflecting the complexities of urbanization in a globalized world.

Declining or Waning

While Urban Forum has a broad range of topics, certain themes have shown a decline in recent publications, indicating a potential shift in focus or a saturation of research in those areas.
  1. Traditional Urban Planning Frameworks:
    There appears to be a waning interest in traditional urban planning frameworks, as newer studies focus more on participatory and community-based approaches rather than established planning norms.
  2. Historical Urban Studies:
    Research focused on historical analyses of urban development has decreased, suggesting a shift towards contemporary issues and immediate urban challenges rather than historical context.
  3. Conventional Economic Analyses of Urbanization:
    There is less emphasis on conventional economic analyses of urbanization, as the journal increasingly prioritizes socio-political and environmental dimensions over purely economic perspectives.

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