GIS Applications in Industrial Heritage Architecture: A Systematic Review of Spatial Analysis Approaches

Abstract

In the field of architectural heritage, industrial built heritage plays an important role. Traditional research methods such as literature studies and field surveys have gradually evolved into digital-twin and machine-learning-based approaches. However, the study of industrial heritage remains a challenge. This study employs the PRISMA framework to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature, aiming to elucidate the impact of GIS on industrial heritage sites and its potential limitations. This study conducts a systematic review of GIS-based research on industrial heritage, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2025. Among the 2166 records initially retrieved from Scopus and the 1771 records initially retrieved from Web of Science, 77 papers were ultimately retained after screening and deduplication. A total of 32 studies were selected based on thematic screening criteria, all of which focused on analysing the spatial characteristics of industrial heritage sites using GIS technology. Among these, 12 core studies were further selected for in-depth qualitative and methodological analysis. These documents form the foundation for exploring research hotspots, methodological approaches, and technological evolution. This review contributes a five-dimensional analytical framework that systematically classifies GIS-based industrial heritage research and identifies eight structural research gaps. The findings indicate that GIS applications remain predominantly focused on spatial mapping and distribution analysis, while their integration with ecological assessment, social and participatory approaches, archaeology, and multi-source technologies remains limited. This review provides a roadmap for integrating advanced spatial analysis tools into future industrial heritage research and planning.