Town and Regional Planning: A Premier South African Journal Indexed in the AR Index

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Ownership and Usage Policy

The Town and Regional Planning journal, proudly published by the University of the Free State, stands as one of South Africa’s foremost academic platforms for research in urban, town, and regional planning. With its active listing in the AR Index (AR Index Number: 743397) as of October 2025, the journal continues to uphold its reputation for scholarly excellence, integrity, and impact in the field of spatial and urban studies.

A Longstanding Legacy in Planning Research

Established in 1974, Town and Regional Planning has been a cornerstone of academic discourse in urban and regional development for over five decades. As an accredited South African journal, it provides a trusted venue for disseminating peer-reviewed research, addressing challenges and innovations that shape cities, towns, and regions across Africa and beyond.

The journal welcomes articles that bridge theory and practice, ensuring that complex planning concepts are accessible not only to specialists but also to policymakers, practitioners, and students in the field.

Rigorous Peer Review and Ethical Publishing

Town and Regional Planning follows a double-blind peer review process, ensuring that each submission is evaluated purely on scholarly merit. Typically, each article undergoes three to four rounds of review over a six-month period, reflecting the journal’s commitment to academic rigor and quality assurance.

The editorial team upholds the highest standards of publication ethics, guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Ethical integrity remains central to every stage of the publication process — from submission to dissemination.

Open Access for Global Reach

In keeping with global trends toward accessibility and transparency in research, Town and Regional Planning is an open access journal published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This means that readers around the world can read, share, reproduce, and adapt published articles freely, provided proper attribution is given to the authors.

Importantly, the journal charges no submission or publication fees, reaffirming its mission to promote equitable access to knowledge and remove barriers for researchers, especially those from the Global South.

Editorial Leadership and Publishing Platform

The journal is led by a dedicated editorial team comprising Dr. Abraham Matamanda and Dr. Mariske van Aswegen as Editors, with Ms. Alna Beukes serving as Managing Editor. Hosted by the Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of the Free State, the journal benefits from a robust academic environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

All issues, archives, and submission portals are accessible through the official journal website:
🔗 journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/trp

Submission and Formatting Guidelines

Researchers interested in contributing to Town and Regional Planning should note the following key requirements:

• Language: English

• Word Length: 4,000–8,000 words (excluding references)

• Formatting: MS Word, Times New Roman, size 12, single spacing

• Tables and Figures: Embedded within the text, editable, font size 10, ¼ pt borders

• Submission: Electronic submission via the online portal

The journal accepts a range of article types, including Research Articles, Review Articles, and Perspective Articles. Book Reviews are also welcomed, enriching academic discussion within the planning discipline.

A Trusted Source in Urban and Regional Scholarship

With its strong academic foundation, open-access policy, and meticulous review standards, Town and Regional Planning continues to shape the discourse in spatial development, governance, and sustainability. Its inclusion in the AR Index reaffirms the journal’s active and accredited status, highlighting its value as a credible and impactful publication for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.

Journal at a Glance

Conclusion

Town and Regional Planning exemplifies the best of South African scholarly publishing — accessible, ethical, and academically rigorous. Its continued active AR Index status as of October 2025 not only reflects its consistent quality but also its role in advancing research that informs sustainable urban and regional futures.

For more details visit AR Index