SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN: A REVIEW OF NOTABLE WORKS

Abstract

This study traces the evolution and current state of research in landscape architecture and urban design from 1979 to 2024 through a literature review. Initially grounded in observation and professional practice, the field has increasingly incorporated statistical analyses and technological tools, addressing previous concerns related to methodological inconsistency. The review employed a quantitative approach, selecting works based on the number of citations adjusted for the year of publication and the journal's impact factor. The synthesized results reveal a growing body of literature structured around three thematic categories: Urban, Natural, and Other. Within these, the main subfields include urban morphology, public space and urban imagery; environmental comfort, resilience and water-sensitive urban design; and emerging concepts such as the circular city. The analysis highlights cross-cutting relationships at different scales and domains, with a shared emphasis on adaptability, flexibility, diversity, and sustainability. Spanning nearly five decades of academic production, this research illustrates the disciplinary maturation of urban and landscape design. This study highlights a shift from practice-based theorizing to data-driven research and signals the integration of sustainable, ecological, and technological paradigms in spatial planning. It contributes a cohesive framework for understanding contemporary trends, challenges, and future directions in this interdisciplinary field.