Journal of the American Planning Association

Aims & Scope

Since 1935, the quarterly Journal of the American Planning Association ( JAPA ) has published research, commentaries, and book reviews useful to practicing planners, policymakers, scholars, students, and citizens of urban, suburban, and rural areas.

JAPA publishes double-blind peer reviewed, original research and analysis.

It aspires to bring insight to planning the future, to air a variety of perspectives, to publish the highest quality work, and to engage readers.

JAPA is interested in manuscripts that examine historical or contemporary planning experience, broadly defined, in domestic or global contexts, and that do at least one of the following: contribute to the theoretical and conceptual foundation of planning; improve the link between planning and successful policy implementation; advance the methods used in planning practice and planning research; explain empirical relationships important to planning; interpret noteworthy physical, economic, and social phenomena that have spatial dimensions; or analyze significant consequences of planning approaches, processes, and contexts.

JAPA prefers vivid and direct writing in the active voice.

We particularly seek timely papers that offer significant research news.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	3.4

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.508

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	119

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Travel and the Built Environment

  Citation: 3829

  Authors: Reid, Robert

• Urban Informality: Toward an Epistemology of Planning

  Citation: 1493

  Authors: Ananya

• Impervious Surface Coverage: The Emergence of a Key Environmental Indicator

  Citation: 1483

  Authors: Chester L., C. James

• Toward a Theory of Gentrification A Back to the City Movement by Capital, not People

  Citation: 1193

  Authors: Neil

• Green Cities, Growing Cities, Just Cities?: Urban Planning and the Contradictions of Sustainable Development

  Citation: 1062

  Authors: Scott

• Many Pathways from Land Use to Health: Associations between Neighborhood Walkability and Active Transportation, Body Mass Index, and Air Quality

  Citation: 1006

  Authors: Lawrence D., James F., Terry L., James E., Brian E., William

• Underestimating Costs in Public Works Projects:<i>Error or Lie?</i>

  Citation: 993

  Authors: Bent, Mette Skamris, Soren

• UrbanSim: Modeling Urban Development for Land Use, Transportation, and Environmental Planning

  Citation: 836

  Authors: Paul

• Consensus Building and Complex Adaptive Systems

  Citation: 827

  Authors: Judith E., David E.

• Is Los Angeles-Style Sprawl Desirable?

  Citation: 811

  Authors: Reid

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