We are pleased to welcome Dr Mohammed Firoz of the Department of Architecture and Planning, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut as the new Digital Editor of our journal Area Development and Policy. Dr Firoz currently serves as a visiting faculty member at the Asian Institute of Technology Bangkok, Thailand. His research revolves around the social sciences namely: Sustainable development of cities and settlements; Quality of life and Livability; Urban development and Climate change; Spatial planning and Urban design; Regional Development and Planning (Regional Geography); Peri Urban studies (Urban Geography); and Social development of Cities and settlements.