Analysis of Research Trends and Hotspots of Engineering Construction Project Approval System Based on CiteSpace

The reform of the Approval Process of Construction Projects (APCP) is part of the broader reform of the administrative approval system in the construction sector. This reform is a crucial step in transforming government functions and modernizing the national government system and capacity. Systematically sorting out the progress of theoretical research on the reform of the approval system of engineering and construction projects is important in the establishment of a national unified approval and management system of engineering and construction projects and the optimization of the construction business environment. Using Chinese core database journals from CNKI and CiteSpace software for visualization and analysis, this paper draws a knowledge map of the research on the reform of APCP in China. The study shows that the research hotspots of the reform of APCP mainly revolve around the issues of administrative approval, the unity of multiple planning, and the transformation of government functions. In conclusion, we suggest the future development of research on reforming the engineering construction project approval system.