Towards sustainable urban development: a scientometric study of nature-based solutions for risk management

Abstract

Urban flooding, intensified by climate change, poses major challenges to sustainable urban development. This study conducts a scientometric analysis of Nature–Based Solutions (NBS) for urban flooding, examining their evolution and effectiveness under climate change from 2004 to 2024. Scopus was selected as the primary database for its extensive coverage and strong indexing, ensuring a comprehensive literature base. Using VOSviewer, the analysis identifies key trends, influential researchers, leading countries, and thematic developments in NBS research. Results show a significant rise in NBS applications since 2015, highlighting their growing role in mitigating urban flood risks through measures such as permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioretention systems that reduce peak flows, runoff volumes, and flooding. China, the UK, and the US lead global contributions, with China being the most productive, reflecting widespread adoption across diverse climatic and urban contexts. The study also highlights pivotal publications and authors shaping the field. Limitations include reliance on a single database and exclusion of grey literature, which may omit practical insights. Although PRISMA guidelines were not applied, the scientometric approach effectively maps interconnections between NBS, urban flooding, and climate change. Future work should integrate multiple databases and systematic methods to strengthen evidence and support sustainable, climate–resilient urban flood management.