Submissions

Author Guidelines

AIMS AND SCOPE

Journal of Design and Built Environment (JDBE) is a SCOPUS-indexed and open access publication by the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. JDBE publishes original papers and review articles resulting from research in architecture, building engineering, quantity surveys, real estate management and all disciplines related to the built environment.

Journal of Design and Built Environment covers the following topics:

• Urban Design: Development and Management
• Sustainable buildings, design, construction and materials
• Construction management and technology
• Building design, performance and operation
• Sustainable Construction and Artificial Landscape
• Building Services and Maintenance
• Energy and building
• Heritage Conservation
• System safety and reliability
• Indoor environmental quality
• Facilities management
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Human interaction with the built environment
• Life cycle assessment

 

TYPES OF MANUSCRIPT

We welcome original manuscripts that was not previously published, in the form of research or review papers, in particular critical reviews, that are relevant to design and built environment.

 

All submitted manuscript are subjected to initial review by the Editors. Manuscripts will be subjected to the screening for plagiarism and double-blind peer review process prior to publication.

 

AUDIENCE

Architects, Builders, Building Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, Real Estate professionals, Engineers, Policy makers, Students and Researchers in Built Environment, Building Science and Engineering in institutions of higher learning.

Because of the journal's interdisciplinary nature, manuscripts should be written for the professional and academic audience that may have either general or specific interest in the topics.

 

LANGUAGE

Manuscripts must be written in ENGLISH only.

 

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS

Authors are invited to submit manuscripts electronically through the OJS submission system. Other modes of submission will no longer be entertained.  Upon acceptance of an article by the journal, the authors will be asked to transfer the article's copyright to the publisher. This transfer will ensure the widest possible dissemination of information.

 

ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGE (APC)

For submissions received from 1^st February 2024 onwards,  each accepted paper will be subjected to an APC of RM1,000.  

 

PREPARATION OF MANUSCRIPTS

The manuscript must be prepared using Microsoft Word format, A4-sized paper, 2.0 cm margin on each side. The preferred length for articles is around 5,000 to 7,000 words for a research manuscript and around 8,000 to 10,000 words for a review manuscript, inclusive of everything (Tables, Figures, References and Appendices). 

The author shall submit three (3) files into the OJS submission system; otherwise, it will be deemed incomplete submission. The files are:

1. Cover letter  
2. Title page
3. Manuscript without authors' information

 

(a) Cover Letter

All submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter from the corresponding author.

By submitting this letter, the corresponding author accepts responsibility for all statements contained within it. The details of all authors, including email addresses, must be listed in the cover letter. It should be declared that the manuscript has not been submitted to another journal and will not be published elsewhere until the decision is made by the journal. All authors must agree on the submission to this journal.

Three (3) potential reviewers in the field should be recommended to escalate the reviewing process. Kindly provide the full name, email address, and affiliation of the reviewers.

 

(b) Title page

The Title page should be a single page, including the title of the manuscript, the authors name and affiliations, country, e-mail address of corresponding author and all contributors (if any), and acknowledgement (if any) using 12-point regular Times New Roman font.

Once accepted for publication, the author’s name cannot be changed.

 

(c) Manuscript without authors' information

This manuscript will be sent for the double-blind review process.  Do include the title in this document. The length of the abstract shall be between 150 to 200 words and up to five keywords to facilitate indexing. The abstract should summarise the objectives, main findings, and conclusions of the manuscript.

 

Manuscripts should be typed in ONE column, double-spacing, using 12-point regular Times New Roman font, justified. The pages should be numbered consecutively, and include line number to ease the review process and commenting. 

 

Only references which are cited in the text should be included in the Reference List. The in-text citation and reference list shall be accordance to APA Style 7^th edition (can refer to https://umlibguides.um.edu.my/c.php?g=939660). Please provide the DOI or URL if any, so that it is easier for the readers to refer. The reference list shall be single spacing, justified, with “hanging” by 0.6 cm. Then the list shall be sorted according to alphabetical order by name, followed by year.

 

All figures and tables must be cited in the main text and included within the text rather than grouped at the end of the paper. Captions should be centred with respect to figures and tables and numbered consecutively. Table headings must be placed above tables, and figure captions must be placed underneath figures.

 

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSION AND PREVIOUS PUBLICATION

Submission of a manuscript implies a commitment to publish in this journal. Simultaneous submission to other journals is unacceptable. Previously published work, or work substantially similar to previously published work, is ordinarily unacceptable. If in doubt about these requirements, don't hesitate to get in touch with the journal.

 

NOTIFICATION

Authors are usually notified whether their manuscripts have been accepted after completing the review process. If changes are required, authors are furnished with comments from the editors and the international review board. The editors are responsible for all final decisions on editorial changes. The editors reserve the right to copy-edit and proof all articles accepted for publication without prior consultation with contributing authors.

 

SUBMISSION AND CORRESPONDENCE

All inquiries and submissions of the manuscripts should be addressed to jdbe@um.edu.my or the OJS submission system.