As the new editor of the Journal of American Planning Association (JAPA), I embrace this role with a heart filled with both honor and responsibility, feeling a profound sense of gratitude toward Ann Forsyth and the editorial team. Ann has been a tremendous guide to me during my transition to editor. Her diligent notes, rich in insights and meticulous annotations for each submission, are not just documentation but act as a valuable roadmap for the way ahead. Her approach to the journal during her tenure serves as a guiding light that both humbles and inspires me to sustain and elevate JAPA’s esteemed legacy.
Over the next 5 years, my vision is to solidify JAPA’s reputation as a pioneering and leading journal, known for disseminating practical, pertinent, and significant research that propels urban and regional planning forward. Central to this vision is the objective of connecting theoretical frameworks with practical applications, fostering positive transformations, and contributing to the development of more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities worldwide. To realize this vision, I plan to concentrate on several critical areas:
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
With an understanding of the multifaceted nature of urban and regional challenges, our editorial board encompasses a wide array of academic disciplines. Our goal is to stimulate submissions that blend various disciplines and perspectives. We will support this by issuing calls for papers focused on multidisciplinary research and by actively promoting JAPA across a diverse range of academic fields.
Inclusive Emphasis
Our commitment to equity and inclusivity motivates us to seek out and emphasize perspectives that are frequently overlooked. We plan to solicit contributions focused on equity and inclusivity and encourage submissions from authors of diverse backgrounds. In addition, we aim to showcase innovative approaches that academics and planners are using to integrate equity into their communities.
Practical Relevance
JAPA serves as a prominent pillar in the planning field, bridging the gap between scholarly research and practical application. We are dedicated to ensuring that the research we publish is directly applicable in real-world settings. Through the organization of interactive conversations, effective use of social media channels, and the cultivation of strong partnerships with APA practice divisions, our goal is to merge theoretical insights with practical applications seamlessly.
Emerging Themes
Our landscape of urban planning is dynamic. Each year, the APA releases their Trend Report for Planners, highlighting the forefront of industry shifts. They focus on critical issues such as the housing crisis, zoning reform, the necessity of upskilling planners for a rapidly evolving world, climate change strategies, and the promotion of equity within the profession. In tune with the ever-changing field of urban planning, we are dedicated to keeping pace with evolving themes and ensuring our content remains vibrant and directly pertinent to the current discourse.
Expanding Accessibility and Engagement
Our goal is to broaden JAPA’s impact beyond traditional academic boundaries. By hosting interactive conversations and developing new media outlets that render our research in conversational and accessible language, we aim to cultivate a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and constructive feedback.
Our aspiration is that everyone’s voice finds its rhythm, contributing uniquely and equally, sharing insights, and spearheading the journey toward a bright, inclusive urban future. In this endeavor, this is where you—readers, authors, academics, and practitioners alike—have a vital role to play. Within the pages of JAPA, all perspectives and ideas are valued, each playing a part in shaping the future contours of our cities and regions.
As you stand amid the vibrancy of diverse communities, whether in bustling cities, serene suburbs, or rural landscapes, remember to join in and contribute, for you too are part of the collective dream toward better cities and regions.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Yan Song
YAN SONG ([email protected]) is professor and chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning and director of the Program on Chinese Cities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.