Urban Forests and Green Environments for Sustainable Cities: Knowledge Landscape, Research Trends, and Future Directions

With the intensification of global urbanization and climate change challenges, urban green spaces and urban forests are playing an increasingly critical role in supporting sustainable urban development. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection, this study employed bibliometric analysis and visualization methods (VOSviewer 1.6.19 and Bibliometrix v5.0.1 (R package)) to systematically map the global knowledge landscape of urban green space and urban forest research from 2000 to 2025, identifying key thematic clusters and research fronts. The results show a shift in research focus from traditional green infrastructure and ecosystem service assessment to an integrated approach emphasizing multifunctionality, climate adaptation, public health, and governance innovation. Furthermore, research efforts are concentrated in rapidly urbanizing regions, and global spatial distribution remains a significant issue. Based on this, this paper proposes a strategic research agenda to promote the development of this field, including four key directions: (1) embedding social equity and people-oriented values into green space planning and management; (2) leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen urban ecological governance; (3) promoting the transition of green infrastructure from fragmented to systematic ecological networks; and (4) deepening the role of urban green space in climate adaptation and sustainable urban transformation. By systematically combing through the knowledge system and governance logic of urban forests and greening, this article aims to reveal the key role of urban ecosystems in addressing climate change and promoting social well-being, and provide operational scientific basis and policy inspiration for the sustainable transformation of global cities.