Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Cities (A Study of Patterns and Scientific Trends 1970-2024)

Authors

1 Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Group of Rural Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.

3 Group of Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.

4 Group of Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Tabriz University, Group of Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran, Group of Urban Planning, Faculty of Planning and Env

10.22059/jrd.2024.374461.668849

Abstract

In recent decades, the topic of sustainable cities has become one of the main and challenging discussions in the field of sustainable development. Universities and research centers worldwide are progressively focusing on sustainable city research. However, the range of comprehensive bibliometric studies that can be conducted to comprehensively assess the trends and patterns of this research is restricted.
The Web of Science database is employed to analyze global bibliometric research on sustainable cities in this study. Data were extracted from 1974 to 2024 using the keyword “sustainable cities” and analyzed using bibliometric techniques and VOSviewer software. Scientific outputs, citations, international collaborations, co-citations, co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, and research areas comprised the indicators that were examined.
The field of sustainable cities has experienced a substantial increase in scientific output, and international collaborations are expanding at a rapid pace. The research topics have gradually transitioned from conventional disciplines, such as meteorology, computer science, and architecture, to more modern areas, including urban studies, engineering, and environmental ecology. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China are among the advanced countries that are pivotal to this research. New keywords,including “machine learning,” “COVID-19,” “sustainable cities,” “security,” “governance,” “sustainable development goals,” and “perspective” are becoming more prevalent in related studies and are being regarded as critical indicators for future research.
The findings suggest that there has been a rise in scientific output, an expansion of international collaborations, and a shift in thematic area to more contemporary topics. Innovative technologies and concepts of sustainability and resilience will be the primary focus of future research, as they are essential for the development of sustainable cities

Keywords

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Community Development (Rural and Urban)
Volume 16, Issue 1 - Serial Number 30
October 2024
Pages 229-263

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