INTEGRATING SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT INTO THE PRODUCTION OF URBAN PLANNING INSTRUMENTS: BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCE

Abstract

Since Rio 1992 and the 2030 Agenda, sustainable urban development (SUD) has emerged as a central framework for addressing climate and urban challenges, with SDG 11 serving as a key reference. However, despite theoretical progress, its practical implementation remains constrained by fragmented approaches and frameworks that are often ill-suited to local contexts. This bibliometric study, analyzing 73 articles from the Scopus database (1999-2023), examines the integration of SUD into urban planning tools. Scientific output, though limited, is divided into three phases: exploratory (1999-2014, 0-4 articles/year), developmental (2015-2021, 3-9 articles/year), and regressive (2023, 1 article). The most prominent fields are social sciences (28.6%), environmental sciences (19%), and engineering (15%), reflecting the multidimensional nature of the topic.

Geographically, research is heavily concentrated in Europe (Germany, Italy), while regions like North Africa are significantly underrepresented. Among the most prolific authors, C.B. Schoeman, with 4 articles and 9 citations, focuses on integrating transport and urban planning. H. Ahmad and Y. Zhu, with 18 citations each, study industrial brownfield redevelopment, while G. Schmitt, with 2 articles and 4 citations, contributes to urban modeling. Their work emphasizes strategic coordination, incentives, and digital tools, advocating for integrated and participatory approaches. This review underscores the need for enhanced scientific efforts and adaptive tools to effectively embed SUD principles into urban planning practices, ensuring more resilient and sustainable cities.