Sociological perspectives on urban green infrastructure: Identifying research gaps and advancing future directions

Abstract

[Abstract]: Sociology provides essential insights into the complex interactions between urban green infrastructures (UGIs) and society. However, despite increasing recognition of their social impacts, UGIs still lack a systematic sociological framework to uncover key trends and critical research gaps. This paper seeks to fill this gap by analyzing influential scientific sources at the intersection of sociology and UGIs. The methodology consists of a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 436 scientific articles published in academic journals between 2001 and 2024. Data were extracted from Scopus and examined using ASReview, a machine-learning Python-based tool, and Bibliometrix, an RStudio-based software. The results reveal that while existing studies have extensively examined governance, policy, and equity-related aspects of UGIs, other areas remain underexplored. These include the religious, spiritual, and cultural uses of UGIs (e.g., festivals, traditional events), their role in specific sectors such as tourism, and the projected and perceived image of UGIs, among others. The findings constitute a fundamental sociological guide for all UGIs’ stakeholders.