IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i1p340-d1560466.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Navigating Research Frontiers in China’s Rural Planning: A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • Song Xu

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China)

  • Huichen Gao

    (School of Economics, Sustainable Development and Public Policy Center, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China)

Abstract

Since the onset of global industrialization, rural planning has evolved significantly in developed countries, establishing a comprehensive framework for sustainable development. However, China’s rural areas, rooted in longstanding agrarian traditions, face distinct challenges amid rapid urbanization and globalization, including land degradation, ecological degradation, and rural depopulation. This study examines the progression of rural planning in China, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Employing a bibliometric approach, we analyzed the literature from the Web of Science database, concentrating on influential publications, collaborative patterns among research institutions, and emerging research themes. Findings reveal that Chinese rural planning research has expanded rapidly since 2004, characterized by interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations. High-impact studies emphasize the transformation of rural settlements, land utilization, and urban–rural dynamics, reflecting an ongoing shift toward sustainable rural revitalization. Co-citation analysis identifies emerging themes such as resilience in rural development, land consolidation, and rural governance under environmental constraints. This study offers theoretical and empirical insights critical to advancing rural planning practices in China, proposing a framework for integrating sustainability into policy and guiding future research to optimize spatial layouts, preserve ecological resources, and support rural transformation aligned with China’s socioeconomic objectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Song Xu & Huichen Gao, 2025. "Navigating Research Frontiers in China’s Rural Planning: A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:340-:d:1560466
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/340/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/340/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xueyan Xu & Jun Gao & Zhonghao Zhang & Jing Fu, 2019. "An Assessment of Chinese Pathways to Implement the UN Sustainable Development Goal-11 (SDG-11)—A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    3. Meiyan Li & Wen Ouyang & Dayu Zhang, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Raminta Pranckutė, 2021. "Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus: The Titans of Bibliographic Information in Today’s Academic World," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-59, March.
    5. Yani Lai & Lin Jiang & Xiaoxiao Xu, 2021. "Exploring Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Urban Village Redevelopment: The Case of Shenzhen, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-26, September.
    6. Chaomei Chen, 2006. "CiteSpace II: Detecting and visualizing emerging trends and transient patterns in scientific literature," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 57(3), pages 359-377, February.
    7. Yujun Zeng & Hong Pan & Bo Chen & Yapeng Wang, 2023. "Study on Rural Planning in Plain and Lake Area from the Perspective of Spatial Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, February.
    8. Li Li & Zhichao Chen & Shidong Wang, 2022. "Optimization of Spatial Land Use Patterns with Low Carbon Target: A Case Study of Sanmenxia, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-22, October.
    9. Henry Small, 1973. "Co‐citation in the scientific literature: A new measure of the relationship between two documents," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 24(4), pages 265-269, July.
    10. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    11. Lei Zhu & Jing Hu & Jiahui Xu & Yannan Li & Mangmang Liang, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Pro-Poor Tourism Villages in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, November.
    12. Ole Ellegaard & Johan A. Wallin, 2015. "The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: How great is the impact?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(3), pages 1809-1831, December.
    13. Yaxi Gong & Xiang Ji & Yuan Zhang & Shanshan Cheng, 2023. "Spatial Vitality Evaluation and Coupling Regulation Mechanism of a Complex Ecosystem in Lixiahe Plain Based on Multi-Source Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-32, January.
    14. Liu Jin & Zongqi Wang & Xiaohong Chen, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages on the Tibetan Plateau in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    15. Chen, Yanming & Yao, Mengru & Zhao, Qiqi & Chen, Zhenjie & Jiang, Penghui & Li, Manchun & Chen, Dong, 2021. "Delineation of a basic farmland protection zone based on spatial connectivity and comprehensive quality evaluation: A case study of Changsha City, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    16. Chao Ma & Ze Song & Qingqing Zong, 2021. "Urban-Rural Inequality of Opportunity in Health Care: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-13, July.
    17. Fei Chen & Xiaoyong Bai & Fang Liu & Guangjie Luo & Yichao Tian & Luoyi Qin & Yue Li & Yan Xu & Jinfeng Wang & Luhua Wu & Chaojun Li & Sirui Zhang & Chen Ran, 2022. "Analysis Long-Term and Spatial Changes of Forest Cover in Typical Karst Areas of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Yang Liu & Jiajun Qiao & Jie Xiao & Dong Han & Tao Pan, 2022. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Rural Revitalization and an Improvement Path: A Typical Old Revolutionary Cultural Area as an Example," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-24, October.
    19. Junwen Zhu & Weishu Liu, 2020. "A tale of two databases: the use of Web of Science and Scopus in academic papers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 123(1), pages 321-335, April.
    20. Geng, Yuqing & Liu, Liwen & Chen, Lingyan, 2023. "Rural revitalization of China: A new framework, measurement and forecast," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    21. Jiaxing Cui & Xuesong Kong & Jing Chen & Jianwei Sun & Yuanyuan Zhu, 2021. "Spatially Explicit Evaluation and Driving Factor Identification of Land Use Conflict in Yangtze River Economic Belt," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, January.
    22. Yigang Zhang & Xiaoyan Guo, 2023. "The Dilemma and Path of Rural Environmental Governance in China: From the Perspective of a Community with a Shared Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dušan Nikolić & Dragan Ivanović & Lidija Ivanović, 2024. "An open-source tool for merging data from multiple citation databases," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(7), pages 4573-4595, July.
    2. Shufen Pang & Mazlinawati Abdul Majid & Hadinnapola Appuhamilage Chintha Crishanthi Perera & Mohammad Saydul Islam Sarkar & Jia Ning & Weikang Zhai & Ran Guo & Yuncheng Deng & Haiwen Zhang, 2024. "A Systematic Review and Global Trends on Blue Carbon and Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Study from 2012 to 2023," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-31, March.
    3. Yuntao Lian & Jiafeng Xie, 2024. "The Evolution of Digital Cultural Heritage Research: Identifying Key Trends, Hotspots, and Challenges through Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-39, August.
    4. Qian Wang & Shixian Luo & Jiao Zhang & Katsunori Furuya, 2022. "Increased Attention to Smart Development in Rural Areas: A Scientometric Analysis of Smart Village Research," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-28, August.
    5. Pawinee Iamtrakul & Sararad Chayphong & Derlie Mateo-Babiano, 2023. "The Transition of Land Use and Road Safety Studies: A Systematic Literature Review (2000–2021)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, May.
    6. Migliavacca, Milena & Patel, Ritesh & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Goodell, John W., 2022. "Mapping impact investing: A bibliometric analysis," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar & Uthayasankar Sivarajah & Weng Marc Lim & J. Christopher Westland & Ashwani Kumar, 2024. "Blockchain for sustainable supply chain management: trends and ways forward," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1563-1618, September.
    8. Michael Olumekor, 2024. "Fuzzy Methods in Entrepreneurship Research," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 33(2), pages 365-392, May.
    9. Mohamed N. Singer & Mohamed A. Hamouda & Hilal El-Hassan & Gilbert Hinge, 2022. "Permeable Pavement Systems for Effective Management of Stormwater Quantity and Quality: A Bibliometric Analysis and Highlights of Recent Advancements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-24, October.
    10. Yuruixian Zhang & Wei Chong Choo & Yuhanis Abdul Aziz & Choy Leong Yee & Jen Sim Ho, 2022. "Go Wild for a While? A Bibliometric Analysis of Two Themes in Tourism Demand Forecasting from 1980 to 2021: Current Status and Development," Data, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-38, July.
    11. Chenghao Yang & Tongtong Liu, 2022. "Social Media Data in Urban Design and Landscape Research: A Comprehensive Literature Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, October.
    12. Yucheng Zhang & Zhiling Wang & Lin Xiao & Lijun Wang & Pei Huang, 2023. "Discovering the evolution of online reviews: A bibliometric review," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-22, December.
    13. Gaviria-Marin, Magaly & Merigó, José M. & Baier-Fuentes, Hugo, 2019. "Knowledge management: A global examination based on bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 194-220.
    14. Dima Jamali & Georges Samara & Lokman I. Meho, 2024. "Determinants of research productivity and efficiency among the Arab world’s accredited business schools," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 2511-2543, December.
    15. Migliavacca, Milena & Goodell, John W. & Paltrinieri, Andrea, 2023. "A bibliometric review of portfolio diversification literature," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    16. Zhichao Wang & Valentin Zelenyuk, 2021. "Performance Analysis of Hospitals in Australia and its Peers: A Systematic Review," CEPA Working Papers Series WP012021, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    17. Théodore Nikiema & Eugène C. Ezin & Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of the State of Research on Agroecology Adoption and Methods Used for Its Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
    18. Ignacio Rodríguez-Rodríguez & José-Víctor Rodríguez & Niloofar Shirvanizadeh & Andrés Ortiz & Domingo-Javier Pardo-Quiles, 2021. "Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data and the Internet of Things to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scientometric Review Using Text Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-29, August.
    19. Lin Hu & Qinghai Chen & Tingting Yang & Chuanjian Yi & Jing Chen, 2024. "Visualization and Analysis of Hotspots and Trends in Seafood Cold Chain Logistics Based on CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and RStudio Bibliometrix," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-22, July.
    20. Germán López Pérez & Isabel María García Sánchez & José Luis Zafra Gómez, 2024. "A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of eco‐innovation on financial performance: Identifying barriers and drivers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1321-1340, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:340-:d:1560466. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.