As the year of 2020 draws to a close we reflect not only on the past but also the future. In my last editorial I reflected upon the potential impacts of COVID -19 on the city and culture. Of course, we all mourn the tragic loss of life and livelihoods that this virus has caused. We also salute those who have acted as carers and key workers to enable the rest of us to continue life. However, we also will hopefully learn lessons. This is clearly an opportunity for new research and understanding of the relationships between the city and culture. Likewise, the guest editorial in the current issue focuses upon another theme of the year: ‘Black Lives Matter’, and more generally the inequalities manifest in our cities in relation to the past, present and future. Again, it has been the city, and in fact culture in the form of statues, that has become a flashpoint for debates about who gets to be represented, and who does not, in the public realms of our cities. Again, ethnic relations and inequalities as well as other social relations continues to be a lively theme in this journal.
On a more minor scale, this year also has seen the full transition of the Journal's offices from Osaka to London. We want to take this opportunity to extend out thanks and appreciation to colleagues in the Osaka office for such excellent work in building and sustaining the Journal. Without the support of Osaka City University and the editorial team based there we would not have been gifted such a robust journal. The team in London are now trying to keep up the good work with the advice and support of the Osaka office. However, editorial roles are one thing, but we know that the bulk of work to support any academic journal is the dedicated work of our reviewers. It is their ‘invisible work’ that maintains and increases the quality of the journal, and their valuable expertise and insight that helps all authors improve their papers. Reviewers, you know who you are: we thank you !