Mapping and topic modeling of over 133,000 studies on climate change and cities: Trends, geographical disparities, and future research needs

Abstract

As major hubs of economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions, cities are central to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Recognizing this, urban climate change research has expanded significantly since 1990. This article uses topic modeling to identify major themes addressed in over 133,000 articles focused on the nexus between climate change and cities. It also examines focus areas across different continents. The analysis reveals a global bias, with many studies concentrating on cities in the Global North. There are distinct patterns, with mitigation dominating in the Global North while adaptation studies prevail in the Global South. Approximately half of the urban climate studies examine combined adaptation-mitigation approaches, with water, heat, and energy emerging as key themes across continents. Despite Africa's exposure to extreme heat events, this critical issue remains understudied in urban climate research focused on the continent. The findings underscore the necessity of customized urban climate solutions to effectively address the pressing issues of extreme heat and other climate-induced phenomena, thereby contributing to urban resilience.