Planning Practice & Research

For a Special Issue on

Planning for Just Energy Transition

Laura Grassini, Politecnico di Bari, Italy
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Enza Lissandrello, Aalborg University, Denmark
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The energy transition has become a critical issue in addressing climate change challenges and severe energy crises driven by dependence on energy resources in a world marked by disparities and spatial inequalities. Cities have frequently been identified as major centres of energy consumption but also as significant contexts for driving innovation and action. However, without specific efforts to ensure an equitable distribution of benefits and burdens, as well as the inclusion of different perspectives and needs, the energy transition will inevitably produce and reinforce existing spatial injustices. This special issue aims to explore the contribution of planning to just energy transition in a variety of European and global contexts.

For long time, the energy transition has been a key focus in innovation studies and science and technology studies. It has also been central to engineering and natural sciences adressing issues of energy efficiency, energy balances, and renewable energy production with a predominantly technocratic and market-oriented approach. The vocabulary associated with the energy transition is currently expanding to encompass topics such as energy communities, energy practices and positive energy districts. A number of contributions have emerged in which a human-centred approach to energy transition is advocated. The concept of energy justice, with its multidimensional and intersectional features, has emerged as a theoretical, methodological and empirical frame to both highlight the dark sides of decarbonisation processes and address the complexities of energy transition.

In the context of the ongoing discourse on energy transition and its interrelations with the spatial dimension, there is an emergent need to critically examine the potential contribution of planning practice and research as well as the expertise and competences of planners for equitable transformations of energy systems at the interface of urban and spatial planning.

This special issue invites contributions that present a variety of theoretical perspectives, emerging methodologies and tools, innovative planning practices and case studies fostering just energy transition across different geographical contexts. Theoretical contributions should critically evaluate the challenges and prospects of achieving a just transition, whilst empirical studies should investigate the complexities and innovative practices of sustainable transitions in urban and regional contexts, both in the global North and South. The energy transition is here considred not just as a simple shift from one situation (A) to a supposedly better situation (B). Instead, it is seen as the ability to actively engage with urban and spatial environments. The special issue is intended for scholars who are interested in planning perspectives that go beyond mere command and control or dependence on a fixed set of normative frameworks. Patsy Healey's idea that futures are 'path contingent' rather than strictly 'path dependent' is inspirational here, by highlighting the importance of examining specific experiences and their relevance in various contexts, rather than relying solely on generalized universal principles.

We particularly encourage submissions that address the following questions:

- In what ways can planning practice and reserach embrace the complexity and diversity of energy processes in spatial contexts and for spatial justice?

- How does current energy transition intersect with transformative planning practice and research for just transitions?

- How can planning practice and research contribute to tackling energy poverty and energy vulnerabilities within urban areas, with particular reference to disadvantaged communities and neighbourhoods?

- How can the concept of energy justice in its multidimensional forms suggest innovations in planning practices and research to support just energy transition processes?

Submission Instructions

Types of Papers Accepted

• Research Articles: Empirical studies, theoretical contributions, or comprehensive reviews that advance the field. Typically, 6,000-8,000 words, excluding references.
• Practice Papers: Case studies, practical insights, or reports on innovative practices. Typically, 3,000-5,000 words, excluding references.
• Commentaries: Shorter pieces offering critical insights or reflections on current issues. Typically, 1,500-3,000 words, excluding references.

Word Limits and Formatting

• Please adhere to the Planning Practice & Research guidelines, which can be found on the journal's website.
• Manuscripts should be formatted according to APA style.
• All submissions must be in English and should be proofread for clarity and grammar.

Submission Process

• An extended abstract (up to 500 words) describing the research aims and methodologies, principal results and major conclusions should be submitted to the special issue editors (Laura Grassini This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Enza Lissandrello This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 30 July 2025. The editors will select abstracts of interest and invite submissions.
• Invited full papers must be sent to the special issue editors for consideration by 30 January 2026. Editors may request revisions before papers are submitted to the journal.
• Full manuscripts should then be submitted via the journal’s website by selecting the correct Special Issue from the dropdown menu. Original research papers will undergo double anonymous peer-review. Other contributions will be evaluated by review of the guest editor, members of the editorial board, and if necessary, an independent reviewer.

Publication Timeline

• Peer review and revisions will occur between February 2026 and August 2026.
• Papers will be published online when accepted.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and sharing innovative research and practices with the wider community. If you have any questions, please contact the guest editors.

LOOK AT INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS SUBMIT AN ARTICLE AT THE LINK BELOW: 

https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/planning-for-just-energy-transition/