Grand challenges, environment and urban systems

摘要

This journal has come a long way in the 30 years since the journal Computers and Urban Society first appeared in 1975, and subsequently evolved into the present title in 1980. Its mandate remains to focus on the development, application and enhancement of computer-based methodologies for understanding and improving environmental and urban systems. Looking back on the last 30 years, I think that it is honest to acknowledge that its contribution to understanding of the environment and urban systems has been mixed; yet the expert and clearly focused efforts of the current editorial team of Associate Editors and Board members provides unambiguous evidence that it has now emerged as a leading international forum for significant research and policy applications. I believe that the journal is now firmly established as one of the top three journals in the area of geo-graphic/geospatial information technology, which as many readers will be aware, was recently recognised by the United States Department of Labor as one of the fastest-growing, knowledge-based fields (Gewin, 2004).