Exploring Research Productivity and Key Trends in African Urban Renewal Studies: A Bibliometric Approach

Onyinyechi Ossai (), Thecla Akukwe, Chinedu Mba, Alphonsus Ali () and Lerato Makuapane
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Onyinyechi Ossai: University of Nigeria
Thecla Akukwe: University of Nigeria
Chinedu Mba: University of Nigeria
Alphonsus Ali: University of Nigeria
Lerato Makuapane: University of the Witwatersrand

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Urban renewal has emerged as a critical aspect of sustainable urban development, particularly in Africa’s rapidly expanding cities and its complex political sphere. Despite this, existing bibliometric studies on urban renewal often overlook African-specific contexts. This study addresses that gap by conducting a rigorous bibliometric analysis of 151 peer-reviewed publications drawn from an initial dataset of 946 Scopus-indexed articles, refined using subject area, source type, language, and manual validation. Using the Biblioshiny R package, the study identifies productivity outcomes and thematic clusters in African urban renewal research, highlighting a continuous change in urban renewal research since 1980, with an average annual production rate of 4.52%, peaking at 12 articles in 2020. Additionally, 23 key trends across three major themes, including infrastructural and developmental foundations, governance/housing, and policy/ Neighborhood liveability, were identified. To examine citation dynamics, a linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between publication year and citation frequency. The regression results reveal a statistically significant negative linear relationship, indicating that older publications received higher citation counts compared to more recent ones. The findings also reveal an uneven geographic and institutional distribution, with persistent gaps in areas such as informal settlements, culturally related renewal, and green infrastructure. These deficiencies are attributed mainly to the changing political landscape and fragmented policy implementation. This study contributes by offering an African-centered knowledge map and suggesting future directions aligned with SDG 11 and Agenda 2063.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-06145-4

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