As the world continues to pursue a new normal following the Pandemic, community developers recognize an even greater need for their services as well as new ways or opportunities to improve the local quality of life. Advances in telecommunication not only reduce the disadvantages of remoteness, they also create new business opportunities, many of which are yet to be determined. While the extent of remote working in the future has not been fully determined, even remote areas are now more viable as residential locations.
Several national surveys document a stated preference by many residents for small communities offering more social engagement, affordable housing, high-quality schools, recreational opportunities, and a safe living environment. While access to employment will always be important, quality of life is becoming a greater factor in selecting where to live with the tide shifting toward selecting a residence first and then finding employment.
Communities have natural assets and attractions that can be important in both retaining and attracting residents if they are developed and promoted. Key is that local leaders recognize these attractions and market them effectively as well as to create opportunities based on innovations and new business opportunities. It is also important to engage residents and local groups in redefining opportunities available to welcome communities to incomers. Benefits from immigration and entrepreneurship in the US are highlighted by Deller and Conway.
The growing importance of quality of life and enhancing local opportunities plays well into the scope of Local Development and Society. The current issue discusses ways in which communities around the world address this topic by engaging local groups in successful development projects. Successes in these endeavors through university outreach in England are shown by Powell. The importance of engaging collaboration among community groups in Bangladesh is further documented by Panday and Ahsan. Specific roles played by local leaders and social networks are explored by Brake. These are just several examples in the current issue. Others are available on-line at: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rlds20.
In its first 3 years (ending December 2022), LD and S published 103 online articles and 61 articles in print with a steady flow of manuscripts in the pipeline. Recent stats show 18,000 downloads in 2022; median time from article submission to first decision (80 days); and 19 days from acceptance to on-line production with an acceptance rate of 44% including special issues. Authors from North America (36), Africa (20), Asia (20), Europe (11), Central and So. America (4), and Australia (2) demonstrate a diverse clientele and audience, resulting in a broad range of topics and results. Submissions of 15 (2020), 50 (2021), and 80 (2022) continue to grow with the reputation of the journal. Authors’ responses to a satisfaction survey (av. 9.3/10.0) place LD & S well above the norm for comparable journals.
The co-editors encourage scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and others engaged in cutting edge research, policies, and practices to submit manuscripts with documented outcomes that are applicable to new scenarios. The journal is double-blind referred and especially encourages articles with a literature review as well as a theoretical foundation that allows the practices or results to be applied in different scenarios. We also encourage those interested in specific topics to suggest community development themes for future issues and, as always, to volunteer as a reviewer for submitted manuscripts.