URBAN STUDIES

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Urban Studies Through Critical Analysis and Engagement

Introduction

Welcome to the URBAN STUDIES 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 URBAN STUDIES, 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
ISSN0042-0980
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1964 to 2024
AbbreviationURBAN STUD / Urban Stud.
Frequency16 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'URBAN STUDIES' serves as a premier platform for interdisciplinary research focused on the complexities of urban environments and the socio-political dynamics that shape them. It aims to contribute to the understanding of urban phenomena through empirical research, theoretical frameworks, and policy analysis.
  1. Urban Governance and Policy:
    Explores the frameworks, strategies, and implications of governance in urban settings, including the roles of local governments, community participation, and public-private partnerships.
  2. Social Inequality and Urban Change:
    Investigates the socio-economic disparities prevalent in urban areas, including issues of gentrification, segregation, and the impact of urban policies on marginalized communities.
  3. Environmental Sustainability and Urban Resilience:
    Focuses on the intersections of urban development and environmental challenges, addressing climate change, resource management, and sustainable urban practices.
  4. Cultural and Spatial Dynamics:
    Examines the cultural dimensions of urban life, including the role of public spaces, community identities, and the impact of migration on urban landscapes.
  5. Technology and Urban Innovation:
    Analyzes the influence of digital technologies, smart city initiatives, and urban informatics on urban governance, planning, and everyday life.
  6. Historical Perspectives on Urban Development:
    Provides insights into the historical processes that have shaped contemporary urban forms, including colonial legacies, industrialization, and post-industrial transformations.
The journal 'URBAN STUDIES' reflects a vibrant and evolving research landscape, with several themes gaining prominence as scholars respond to emerging urban challenges and societal shifts.
  1. Impact of COVID-19 on Urban Environments:
    Research exploring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban life, governance, and planning has surged, highlighting issues such as public health, social inequality, and urban resilience.
  2. Digital Urbanism and Smart Cities:
    Emerging studies focus on the implications of digital technologies in urban governance, including smart city initiatives, data-driven decision-making, and the ethics of urban surveillance.
  3. Community Activism and Grassroots Movements:
    There is a growing interest in the role of community-led initiatives and grassroots activism in shaping urban policies, particularly in the context of social justice and environmental sustainability.
  4. Intersectionality in Urban Studies:
    Research increasingly adopts an intersectional lens, examining how various social identities (race, gender, class) intersect to influence urban experiences and outcomes.
  5. Climate Justice and Urban Sustainability:
    Emerging themes focus on climate justice, exploring how urban areas can address environmental degradation while ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Declining or Waning

While 'URBAN STUDIES' continues to thrive in various domains, some themes have shown a noticeable decline in focus over recent years, reflecting shifts in research priorities and emerging challenges in urban contexts.
  1. Traditional Urban Planning Models:
    As cities face rapid changes due to technological advancements and socio-economic shifts, traditional urban planning paradigms are becoming less relevant, with a growing emphasis on adaptive and participatory approaches.
  2. Static Notions of Urban Identity:
    The concept of fixed urban identities is waning as cities become increasingly diverse and fluid, leading to a focus on dynamic and contested identities shaped by migration and globalization.
  3. Single-Dimensional Economic Growth:
    Research focusing solely on economic growth metrics is declining as scholars push for more holistic approaches that integrate social equity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life indicators.

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