Aims and Scope

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published biannually (June and December) by Alanya University. Responding to rapid urbanisation and widening socio-economic inequalities worldwide, the journal provides a platform for scholarly dialogue that transcends national and disciplinary boundaries. It prioritises innovative, interdisciplinary research that balances social and economic development with resilience in the built environment, critically examining how these forces shape today’s urban landscapes.

The journal actively encourages internationally authored submissions and an equally international readership, welcoming robust empirical, theoretical, or mixed-method studies that explore urban transformations across diverse cultural, geographical, and socio-economic contexts. By fostering cross-regional academic exchange and comparative research, it aims to advance original scholarship, propose strategies to bridge global divides, and inform policy and practice. Ultimately, The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs strives to cultivate more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities worldwide.

Scope

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship on the socio-economic factors shaping modern urban environments world-wide. We welcome contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following core themes:

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Investigating socio-economic impacts related to citizenship, including inequality, urban poverty, affordable housing, segregation, civic participation, social equity, welfare, health, accessibility, justice, and rights. We particularly seek research highlighting economic vulnerabilities within urban communities and proposing actionable solutions to reduce inequality and enhance resilience.

2. Territorial Dynamics

Examining the socio-economic implications of territorial changes, such as housing dynamics, urban migration, resource distribution, economic displacement, land speculation, economic clusters, heritage preservation, and development constraints. We encourage studies addressing economic disparities caused by shifting territorial patterns and offering strategies to strengthen local economies and mitigate inequities.

3. Urban Transformations

Exploring the socio-economic consequences of urban change, encompassing development, planning, policy-making, transformation, resilience, regeneration, governance, investments, sustainable development, adaptive reuse, globalization impacts, smart cities, opportunities, and innovation. We welcome inquiries that focus on economic resilience in evolving urban landscapes, presenting policies and frameworks that bolster economic stability and reduce socio-economic inequalities.

Authorship Criteria

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs upholds the highest standards of publication ethics to ensure the originality, integrity, and scholarly value of all published work. Authorship carries both credit and responsibility, and we require that all contributors meet the following criteria.

Unacceptable Practices: The journal will not consider manuscripts that involve:

Simultaneous submission to more than one journal
Previously published material in any language or format
Redundant or duplicate publication of substantially the same content

Requirements for Submission: To safeguard academic integrity and relevance, all manuscripts must:

Be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere
Demonstrate clear and significant authorial contributions
Employ rigorous, ethical, and appropriate research methods
Align with the journal’s aims, scope, and readership

Author Responsibilities: All listed authors are expected to:

Make a substantial and identifiable contribution to the conception, design, execution, analysis, or interpretation of the research
Approve the final version of the manuscript prior to submission
Accept full accountability for the integrity and accuracy of the work
Disclose all potential conflicts of interest
Acknowledge all sources of funding, institutional support, and assistance
Ensure that all required ethical approvals and participant consents have been obtained and clearly reported
Provide a complete CRediT Author Contribution Statement outlining each author’s role
Make underlying data, code, and supplementary materials openly available, or provide a justified explanation for any restrictions
Obtain written permission for any copyrighted, licensed, or third-party material reproduced in the manuscript
Commit to post-publication responsibility, including promptly notifying the editors of any errors, and cooperating fully with corrections, retractions, or clarifications when necessary

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs adheres strictly to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action in cases of suspected misconduct or violation of authorship criteria.

for more information please see: Manuscript Preparation Guidelines and Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

Readership

The Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs serves a diverse, international readership committed to understanding and addressing the socio-economic, cultural, and spatial dimensions of urban transformation. Its audience includes academic scholars and graduate students in urban studies, architecture, planning, geography, sociology, economics, political science, cultural studies, and related fields seeking innovative theoretical frameworks, comparative analyses, and empirical evidence on contemporary urban challenges; urban practitioners, policymakers, and decision-makers in government, municipal agencies, and international organisations requiring critical insights and evidence-based strategies to inform sustainable, inclusive, and equitable policies and practices; non-governmental organisations, advocacy groups, and civil society actors working to address inequality, resilience, housing, environmental justice, and social equity within urban environments; and professionals in allied disciplines such as engineering, environmental science, public health, cultural heritage management, and technology whose work intersects with the design, governance, and lived experience of cities. By bringing together these diverse communities, Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs fosters interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges the gap between research, practice, and policy, supporting both academic advancement and the co-creation of practical solutions to contemporary urban issues, making it an essential resource for those shaping the future of cities worldwide.

Editorial Vision

By embracing an international scope and positioning itself within established academic disciplines, the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs seeks to enhance global scholarly discourse on critical urban affairs. We encourage submissions employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, as well as interdisciplinary and comparative studies that shed light on best practices and challenges across different regions worldwide. Through this comprehensive approach, the journal aspires to be a leading outlet for forward-thinking research that informs policy, guides practice on the socio-economic consequences of contemporary urbanization, and ultimately contributes to more equitable and sustainable urban environments. We invite contributions from the full range of disciplines within the social sciences and arts and humanities, including advanced empirical and theoretical work that addresses both positive and normative perspectives. Priority is given to research articles written for a multidisciplinary audience, demonstrating innovation, high quality, and significant impact. The journal also seeks articles that bridge theory and practice, offering insights relevant to policymakers, practitioners, and academics in urban planning, architecture, and related fields world-wide.

Scholarly Content Policy

Our journal is committed to publishing original scholarly material that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in its respective fields. We ensure that the research we publish meets the academic standards appropriate for a graduate, post-doctoral, and professional research audience. Submissions must present novel findings or insights, adhere to rigorous methodological standards, and be relevant to the interests of a global academic community.

for more information about publication policy please see Publication Policies , » Guidelines for Reviewers

Important Note: Submissions that fall outside the thematic or disciplinary focus of the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs will be subject to desk rejection without external peer review.