Annals of Regional Science

Annals of Regional Science
Title	Annals of Regional Science
Discipline	Regional science
Abbreviation	Ann. Reg. Sci.
Publisher	Springer Science+Business Media
Country	Germany
Frequency	Quarterly
History	1967–present
Issn	0570-1864
Eissn	1432-0592

Annals of Regional Science is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering regional science with emphasis on spatial aspects of urban planning, economic geography, and transportation planning. Founded in the late 1960s, the journal publishes research that connects theoretical models, empirical studies, and policy-relevant analysis relevant to regions such as North America, Europe, and East Asia. The journal is published by Springer Science+Business Media and has appeared in bibliographic listings alongside titles like Journal of Regional Science, Papers in Regional Science, and Regional Studies.

History

The journal was established during a period of institutional consolidation following influential gatherings such as the early meetings of the Regional Science Association International and conferences attended by scholars associated with Walter Isard, Tord Palander, and Sir Peter Hall. Early volumes exchanged correspondence with editors and authors affiliated with institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, and University of Tokyo. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the publication engaged debates paralleling the work of figures associated with Paul Krugman, William Alonso, Marta Desiderio and drew contributors from research centers including the National Bureau of Economic Research, Ifo Institute, and Centre for Economic Policy Research. Editorial stewardship passed among editors linked to universities such as Cornell University, Duke University, and University of California, Berkeley as the journal adapted to methodological shifts driven by advances at places like RAND Corporation and Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques.

Scope and Topics

The journal foregrounds research intersecting the lines of inquiry pursued by scholars at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and University College London, covering topics including spatial econometrics influenced by work at London School of Economics, location theory in the tradition of Alfred Weber, and urban systems studies building on Christaller and Losch. Typical contributions reference case studies from regions such as Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia and engage datasets assembled by organizations like the World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Methodological approaches feature applied tools developed by researchers at Stanford University, Princeton University, and University of Chicago, and the journal regularly publishes work on topics related to transport networks studied by scholars linked to Imperial College London and ETH Zurich.

Editorial Policies and Peer Review

Editorial policies reflect standards endorsed by professional bodies such as the Regional Science Association International and draw on peer-review practices common to journals from Springer Nature, Elsevier, and Wiley-Blackwell. The journal employs double-blind review or single-blind review routines resembling those used by titles like Econometrica, Journal of Urban Economics, and Geographical Analysis, with editorial boards populated by academics from institutions such as University of Toronto, Australian National University, and University of Amsterdam. Ethical guidelines align with norms advocated by associations like the Committee on Publication Ethics and follow conflict-of-interest procedures taken by publishers including Taylor & Francis. Submission requirements reference standards in line with works cited in outlets like Economic Geography and Environment and Planning A.

Abstracting and Indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in major services comparable to Scopus, Web of Science, and RePEc, appearing alongside journals catalogued by indexing entities such as EBSCO and ProQuest. Bibliometric aggregation places it within subject categories that include titles indexed by Clarivate Analytics and datasets curated by organizations like the National Information Standards Organization. Library holdings traceable through systems used by Library of Congress, British Library, and Deutsche Nationalbibliothek ensure discoverability across academic collections affiliated with universities including Columbia University and University of Melbourne.

Impact and Reception

Scholarly reception situates the journal in a lineage with influential outlets like Regional Studies and Journal of Economic Geography, and citations often reference canonical works by Jane Jacobs, Paul Krugman, and William Alonso. Impact metrics reported in platforms administered by Clarivate Analytics and Scimago Lab reflect influence in communities centered at institutions such as University of California system, University of Oxford, and Peking University. The journal has been cited in policy reports produced by agencies like the European Commission, World Bank, and United Nations Development Programme and figures in bibliographies compiled by research centers including the Institute of Development Studies.

Notable Articles and Special Issues

Notable contributions have included articles analyzing agglomeration economies in the spirit of Heckscher-Ohlin and New Economic Geography scholarship, empirical regional growth studies comparable to work by Simon Kuznets and Robert Solow, and methodological pieces advancing spatial econometrics akin to research from Luc Anselin. Special issues have focused on themes such as urbanization in China, regional resilience after financial crises discussed in venues like G20 briefs, and innovation clusters reminiscent of analyses by Michael Porter and Richard Florida. The journal has hosted symposia linked to conferences held by United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the International Monetary Fund and published memorial volumes commemorating scholars associated with Walter Isard and Peter Hall.

Category:Academic journals Category:Regional science