Empirical research review on urban resilience from a global perspective: insights for China

Abstract

Urban resilience, characterized by multiple and contested definitions, must be interpreted within specific contexts to generate meaningful implications. This study systematically reviews empirical research on urban resilience published between 2015 and 2024 in 44 countries with at least five publications each. Structured around three dimensions: urban disturbances, resilience subjects, and research objectives, it addresses the questions “resilience to what, of what, and for what.” Thematic coding and bibliometric analysis provide statistical and visualized results, enabling a comparison between Chinese and international scholarships. The findings reveal that Chinese scholarship has concentrated primarily on natural hazards and rapid urban development over the past four decades. As Chinese cities shift from growth-oriented expansion to stock-based renewal amid widening regional disparities, global discussions on place-based adaptation, urban transition, and vulnerable populations offer timely references. Although China has produced a large volume of macro- and meso-scale studies, the emphasis on administrative boundaries underscores a top-down government-oriented approach. Most studies remain quantitative, measuring aspects of resilience without effectively translating their findings into actionable planning guidance. Future studies should integrate perspectives beyond government, explore the limits of collaborative governance in a centralized system, and employ meso-scale analyses to inform planning at all stages.