Journal of Place Management and Development – Volume 19, Issue 1 Published

The first issue of 2026 of the Journal of Place Management and Development (Vol. 19, Issue 1) is now available, with a timely and substantive focus on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

At the heart of the issue is a three-part spotlight examining the implications of devolution for place governance, policy and practice.

The editorial, “A new deal for places” (Parker, Millington, Ntounis, Beel, Kanellopoulou, Steadman & Harvey), sets out the Institute of Place Management’s position on the English Devolution Bill. The article argues that meaningful devolution will require more than structural reform; it demands a cultural and operational shift in governance that places place management at the centre of decision-making. The editorial directly engages with contemporary debates and responds to arguments advanced by Lybeck, Wade and Galpin.

Two further contributions deepen the discussion. Eric Lybeck examines civic challenges in left-behind towns, assessing both the structural constraints and practical opportunities presented by devolution. Chris Wade and Graham Galpin explore how place management principles can be embedded within emerging devolved governance systems, offering governance-oriented pathways for reform.

Beyond the devolution spotlight, this issue features research on:

  • The evolution of systematic literature reviews in place marketing and branding
  • The socio-material construction of public saunas as third places
  • The influence of natural atmospherics on park attachment
  • A governance-oriented process model for inclusive place branding
  • Residents’ perceptions of place change over time, using the Belgian coast as a case study

Together, the papers reinforce the journal’s commitment to advancing rigorous research that informs policy and practice across the place management field.

IPM members can access the full issue via the Members’ Area.

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About the author

IPM

Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.

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