Peer-review process

Initial Editorial Assessment: Manuscript submissions first undergo an initial screening by the editorial team to verify compatibility with the journal's scope and adherence to submission standards. Manuscripts failing to meet these criteria may be dismissed prior to peer review.

Single-Blind Peer Review: Selected manuscripts are forwarded to at least two subject matter specialists for review. However, while reviewer identities remain concealed, the reviewers are aware of the authors' identities. They evaluate the submission on various aspects, including its originality, methodological rigor, and contribution to the field, and subsequently make a recommendation for its disposition.

Reviewer Recommendations: The reviewers may suggest acceptance (with or without minor revisions), revision, or rejection. These evaluations are encapsulated in a report that is provided to the authors for necessary revisions or to substantiate the editorial decision.

Revisions and Final Decision: Authors who are invited to revise their manuscripts must submit their revised versions along with a document detailing how the reviewers' feedback has been addressed. The revised manuscript may be re-evaluated by the initial reviewers or assigned new ones. The editorial team will consider the reviewers’ advice, the quality of revisions, and the overall merit of the manuscript to render the final decision on publication.

Copyediting and Production: Upon acceptance, manuscripts proceed with layout adjustment, and proofreading stages before publication. Authors will receive proofs for approval to ensure accuracy in the final published material. It is the author’s responsibility to ensure the soundness of any data. Any errors in the data rest solely with the producers of the dataset(s). Peer reviewers and editors will be considering a manuscript’s data availability statement and whether the authors have complied with the journal’s data sharing policy.

The Journal is committed to a rigorous and unbiased review process wherein all submissions are treated with respect and confidentiality, promoting scholarly excellence in the realm of urban design and mental health research.