Mapping the field of sustainable slum upgrading: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global practices

This study analyzes global research trends and citation structures in the field of slum upgrading, identifies key contributors, evaluates global strategies and their implementation, and examines their alignment with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using a bibliometric approach, this study analyzes 327 articles published between 2015 and 2024 through co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and network visualization to identify major research clusters. The findings reveal key trends, influential contributors, and significant research directions in this area. Effective strategies include policy interventions, community participation, infrastructure improvements, and technological innovations. Aligning these strategies with SDG 11 is essential to support sustainable urban development. The originality of this research lies in its comprehensive bibliometric analysis, mapping of research gaps, and its contribution to evidence-based policymaking and stakeholder collaboration. This study emphasizes the importance of aligning slum upgrading strategies with SDG 11 in order to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development. Understanding research trends allows stakeholders to access influential studies and implement evidence-based policies. Furthermore, the study highlights various adaptive strategies that can be applied in different contexts of slum upgrading.