Exploring Research Productivity and Key Trends in African Urban Renewal Studies: A Bibliometric Approach.

Urban renewal has emerged as a critical aspect of sustainable urban development, particularly in the context of Africa’s rapidly growing cities. As governments and policymakers strive to address challenges related to urbanization, housing, and infrastructure, research on urban renewal provides valuable insights into effective planning and policy interventions. This study examines the growth patterns, distribution of productivity, research hotspots, and emerging trends in urban renewal scholarship across Africa using bibliometric analysis. A total of 151 publications from the Scopus database were analyzed using R Programming Language. The findings indicate a continuous trajectory of urban renewal research since 1980, with an average annual growth rate of 4.52%, peaking at 12 articles in 2020. South Africa emerges as the leading contributor in terms of both publication volume and citation impact. Urban Forum is identified as the most prominent journal in this field, while the South African Geographical Journal stands out as the most notable indigenous journal. The bibliometric analysis highlights 23 major research trends, predominantly focusing on macro-level challenges, government-driven economic development, sustainable planning, and human-centered policy interventions. Despite these advancements, the study underscores a critical research gap in areas such as informal settlements, urban poverty, and green infrastructure, emphasizing the need for broader and more inclusive urban renewal research across the continent.