The correlation between water sensitive urban design and urban climate: A bibliometric analysis

Low impact development; sustainable urban drainage systems; thermal comfort; urban climate; water sensitive urban design; Environmental Engineering; Water Science and Technology; Waste Management and Disposal; Pollution

Abstract :

[en] The rapid population growth in the past two centuries has caused a significant rise in urbanisation, leading to various environmental impacts. To address these negative consequences, the adoption of new technologies is crucial. One such approach is Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and urban climate, particularly in the context of challenges posed by urban sprawl, such as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and stormwater pollution. Employing a bibliometric analysis and utilising the similar visualisation software (VOSviewer), the research analyses publications from 2014 to 2023 to identify prominent countries, institutions, authors, journals, and emerging research trends. A total of 38 publications documented in the Scopus database were reviewed as of January 2024. The findings reveal that 2022 marked a peak in research output, with the Journal of Hydrology leading in publications and Simon C. Beecham recognised as the foremost author. Notably, Australia contributed 37% of the total publications, with Monash University identified as a key institutional contributor. The analysis uncovered critical themes related to water management, climate resilience, and sustainable urban practices, underscoring their interconnectedness. Despite these insights, the study identified a significant gap in the literature regarding the interplay between WSUD, low-impact development (LID), sustainable urban drainage (SUD), thermal comfort, and UHI. This gap indicates a fertile area for future research, presenting a roadmap for scholars to explore these connections more comprehensively.

Disciplines :

Environmental sciences & ecology
Civil engineering

Author, co-author :

Ghrieb, Rania ; Department of architecture, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria ; Laboratory of Applied Civil Engineering, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

Ahriz, Atef ; Department of architecture, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria ; Laboratory of Applied Civil Engineering, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

Grib, Aissa ; Department of architecture, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria ; Laboratory of Applied Civil Engineering, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

Beladjila, Meryem ; Department of architecture, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria ; Laboratory of Applied Civil Engineering, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa, Algeria

Matallah, Mohamed Elhadi ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > Techniques de construction des bâtiments ; Civil Engineering and Hydraulics Laboratory, University of Biskra, Sustainable Development and Environment (LARGHYDE), Algeria

Language :

English

Title :

The correlation between water sensitive urban design and urban climate: A bibliometric analysis

Publication date :

2025

Journal title :

Environmental Research and Technology

ISSN :

2636-8498

eISSN :

2636-8498

Publisher :

Yildiz Technical University

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

1018 - 1034

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Available on ORBi :

since 16 March 2026

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Scopus citations^®
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