Bibliometric Analysis of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Research in Smart Cities

Abstract

In recent years, maintaining thermal comfort in urban environments has become a key concern, as cities grow rapidly and climate change intensifies. This study presents a bibliometric analysis to examine how thermal comfort is addressed in smart city research, categorizing the methodologies employed. A total of 300 papers from Scopus and 107 from Web of Science were collected. After removing duplicates across both datasets, 314 papers remained for analysis. A final dataset of 314 papers was analysed using Python, with the 300 from Scopus further examined using CiteSpace due to the 300-record limit of the basic version of the software. CiteSpace analysis reveals key trends, research networks, and methodological shift. With 15% of studies utilizing questionnaires, 35% employing simulation tools, and 50% relying on alternative methods. Python analysis highlights China and the USA as the most prolific countries in publishing research on this topic. This study emphasizes the evolving nature of research in the smart city sector and underscores the importance of integrating both conventional and innovative methodologies. Findings offer critical insights for urban planners and policymakers, particularly in relation to sustainable urban development and the mitigation of urban heat island effects. By mapping the intellectual configuration of thermal comfort research in smart cities, this paper not only addresses existing knowledge gaps but also provides a framework for future research to enhance the resilience and liveability of urban environments.