IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v16y2025i1d10.1007_s13132-024-02023-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Bridging Nature and Urbanization: A Comprehensive Study of Biophilic Design in the Knowledge Economy Era

Author

Listed:
  • Yanqing Xia

    (Pukyong National University)

  • Yu Shao

    (Pukyong National University
    Hanyang University)

  • Yue Zheng

    (Construction Institute, Guangdong Technology College)

  • Xin Yan

    (Academy of Fine Arts, Tai Zhou University)

  • Hanlu Lyu

    (Daejin University)

Abstract

The relentless pace of global urbanization has ushered in a complex web of challenges, often referred to as “urban ills,” threatening the well-being of urban residents. This paper delves into the evolving concept of biophilic design, which seeks to address the disconnect between modern urban culture and nature, offering a promising paradigm for sustainable urban development. As the world moves towards a knowledge-based economy, the significance of biophilic design in fostering resilient, inclusive, and equitable cities becomes increasingly evident. This research, spanning from 2008 to 2023, employs bibliometric analysis, utilizing tools like VOSviewer and CiteSpace to comprehensively examine the global landscape of biophilic design research. It traces the trajectory of biophilic design from its inception, exploring its theoretical foundations and real-world applications. The study identifies influential authors, productive institutions, and key themes, shedding light on the current state of research in this field. Notably, the paper highlights the intersectionality of biophilic design, as it touches on areas such as criminology, medicine, psychology, and urban transportation. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized the importance of mental health and well-being in urban settings, making collaboration with the field of psychology crucial. Theoretical implications include the need for adaptable theoretical frameworks that accommodate the evolving nature of biophilic design research. Policy implications stress the importance of integrating biophilic design concepts into urban planning regulations, fostering interdisciplinary research, and raising public awareness. Planning for resilience in a post-pandemic world calls for flexible zoning restrictions, improved healthcare infrastructure, and the incorporation of biophilic elements. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of biophilic design theory and its potential for shaping future urban development, aligning with the principles of the knowledge-based economy while addressing contemporary urban challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanqing Xia & Yu Shao & Yue Zheng & Xin Yan & Hanlu Lyu, 2025. "Bridging Nature and Urbanization: A Comprehensive Study of Biophilic Design in the Knowledge Economy Era," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 3574-3613, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02023-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02023-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-02023-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-024-02023-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephanie Panlasigui & Erica Spotswood & Erin Beller & Robin Grossinger, 2021. "Biophilia beyond the Building: Applying the Tools of Urban Biodiversity Planning to Create Biophilic Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Kambo, Amrita & Drogemuller, Robin & Yarlagadda, Prasad K.D.V., 2019. "Assessing Biophilic Design Elements for ecosystem service attributes – A sub-tropical Australian case," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    3. Jackie Parker & Greg D. Simpson, 2018. "Public Green Infrastructure Contributes to City Livability: A Systematic Quantitative Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-26, December.
    4. M.J. Cobo & A.G. López‐Herrera & E. Herrera‐Viedma & F. Herrera, 2011. "Science mapping software tools: Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(7), pages 1382-1402, July.
    5. Hyo Chang Lee & Sung Jun Park, 2018. "Assessment of Importance and Characteristics of Biophilic Design Patterns in a Children’s Library," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, March.
    6. Paul Osmond & Sara Wilkinson, 2021. "City Planning and Green Infrastructure: Embedding Ecology into Urban Decision-Making," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 1-4.
    7. Regina Negri Pagani & João Luiz Kovaleski & Luis Mauricio Resende, 2015. "Methodi Ordinatio: a proposed methodology to select and rank relevant scientific papers encompassing the impact factor, number of citation, and year of publication," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(3), pages 2109-2135, December.
    8. Paul Osmond & Sara Wilkinson, 2021. "City Planning and Green Infrastructure: Embedding Ecology into Urban Decision-Making," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 6(1), pages 1-4.
    9. Yuhui Jing & Leying Zhao & Keke Zhu & Haoming Wang & Chengliang Wang & Qi Xia, 2023. "Research Landscape of Adaptive Learning in Education: A Bibliometric Study on Research Publications from 2000 to 2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    10. Alireza Sedghikhanshir & Yimin Zhu & Yan Chen & Brendan Harmon, 2022. "Exploring the Impact of Green Walls on Occupant Thermal State in Immersive Virtual Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, February.
    11. Simona Totaforti, 2020. "Emerging Biophilic Urbanism: The Value of the Human–Nature Relationship in the Urban Space," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Tonia Gray & Carol Birrell, 2014. "Are Biophilic-Designed Site Office Buildings Linked to Health Benefits and High Performing Occupants?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, November.
    13. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    14. Keramatollah Ziari & Ahmad Pourahmad & Bagher Fotouhi Mehrabani & Ali Hosseini, 2018. "Environmental sustainability in cities by biophilic city approach: a case study of Tehran," International Journal of Urban Sciences, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 486-516, October.
    15. Maria Cacique & Sheng-Jung Ou, 2022. "Biophilic Design as a Strategy for Accomplishing the Idea of Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    16. Alessio Russo & Maria Beatrice Andreucci, 2023. "Raising Healthy Children: Promoting the Multiple Benefits of Green Open Spaces through Biophilic Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    17. M.J. Cobo & A.G. López-Herrera & E. Herrera-Viedma & F. Herrera, 2011. "Science mapping software tools: Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(7), pages 1382-1402, July.
    18. Carlos Cobreros & Neyda Medoza-Ruvalcaba & Mariana Flores-García & Rob Roggema, 2023. "Improving Psychological Well-Being in Urban University Districts through Biophilic Design: Two Cases in Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    19. Deborah Lefosse & Arjan van Timmeren & Carlo Ratti, 2023. "Biophilia Upscaling: A Systematic Literature Review Based on a Three-Metric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-34, November.
    20. Maria Beatrice Andreucci & Angela Loder & Martin Brown & Jelena Brajković, 2021. "Exploring Challenges and Opportunities of Biophilic Urban Design: Evidence from Research and Experimentation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, April.
    21. Timothy Beatley & Peter Newman, 2013. "Biophilic Cities Are Sustainable, Resilient Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-18, August.
    22. Terri Peters & Kristen D'Penna, 2020. "Biophilic Design for Restorative University Learning Environments: A Critical Review of Literature and Design Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lutz Bornmann & Robin Haunschild & Sven E. Hug, 2018. "Visualizing the context of citations referencing papers published by Eugene Garfield: a new type of keyword co-occurrence analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 114(2), pages 427-437, February.
    2. Gaviria-Marin, Magaly & Merigó, José M. & Baier-Fuentes, Hugo, 2019. "Knowledge management: A global examination based on bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 194-220.
    3. Ed Burton & David John Edwards & Chris Roberts & Nicholas Chileshe & Joseph H. K. Lai, 2021. "Delineating the Implications of Dispersing Teams and Teleworking in an Agile UK Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Gallego-Losada, María-Jesús & Montero-Navarro, Antonio & García-Abajo, Elisa & Gallego-Losada, Rocío, 2023. "Digital financial inclusion. Visualizing the academic literature," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Hussain, Walayat & Merigó, José M. & Rahimi, Iman & Lev, Benjamin, 2025. "Half a century of Omega – The International Journal of Management Science: A bibliometric analysis," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    6. Reza Naghizadeh & Shaban Elahi & Manoochehr Manteghi & Sepehr Ghazinoory & Marina Ranga, 2015. "Through the magnifying glass: an analysis of regional innovation models based on co-word and meta-synthesis methods," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 2481-2505, November.
    7. Hull, Simon Antony, 2024. "All for one and one for all? Exploring the nexus of land administration, land management and land governance," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    8. Ali Najmi & Taha H. Rashidi & Alireza Abbasi & S. Travis Waller, 2017. "Reviewing the transport domain: an evolutionary bibliometrics and network analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 110(2), pages 843-865, February.
    9. Zaheer Allam & Ayyoob Sharifi & Simon Elias Bibri & Didier Chabaud, 2022. "Emerging Trends and Knowledge Structures of Smart Urban Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-29, April.
    10. Zamani, Mehdi & Yalcin, Haydar & Naeini, Ali Bonyadi & Zeba, Gordana & Daim, Tugrul U, 2022. "Developing metrics for emerging technologies: identification and assessment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    11. Zhigao Liu & Yimei Yin & Weidong Liu & Michael Dunford, 2015. "Visualizing the intellectual structure and evolution of innovation systems research: a bibliometric analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(1), pages 135-158, April.
    12. Pan, Xuelian & Yan, Erjia & Cui, Ming & Hua, Weina, 2018. "Examining the usage, citation, and diffusion patterns of bibliometric mapping software: A comparative study of three tools," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 481-493.
    13. Margarida Rodrigues & Cidália Oliveira & MárioFranco & Ana Daniel, 2024. "A Bibliometric Study About the Rural Creative Class: Proposal of a Conceptual Framework and Future Agenda," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 15278-15303, September.
    14. Carè, R. & Fatima, R. & Cerciello, M. & Taddeo, S., 2025. "Exploring the landscape of green crowdfunding: Trends, themes, and insights from a bibliometric review," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    15. Vanessa Ioannoni & Tommaso Vitale & Corrado Costa & Iris Elliott, 2020. "Depicting communities of Romani studies: on the who, when and where of Roma related scientific publications," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 122(3), pages 1473-1490, March.
    16. Alba Santa Soriano & Carolina Lorenzo Álvarez & Rosa María Torres Valdés, 2018. "Bibliometric analysis to identify an emerging research area: Public Relations Intelligence—a challenge to strengthen technological observatories in the network society," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(3), pages 1591-1614, June.
    17. Weisheng Chiu & Thomas Chun Man Fan & Sang-Back Nam & Ping-Hung Sun, 2021. "Knowledge Mapping and Sustainable Development of eSports Research: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    18. Carmona-Lavado, Antonio & Gimenez-Fernandez, Elena M. & Vlaisavljevic, Vesna & Cabello-Medina, Carmen, 2023. "Cross-industry innovation: A systematic literature review," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    19. Gallego-Losada, Rocío & Montero-Navarro, Antonio & Rodríguez-Sánchez, José-Luis & González-Torres, Thais, 2022. "Retirement planning and financial literacy, at the crossroads. A bibliometric analysis," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    20. Anita Mendiratta & Shveta Singh & Surendra Singh Yadav & Arvind Mahajan, 2023. "Bibliometric and Topic Modeling Analysis of Corporate Social Irresponsibility," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(3), pages 319-339, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02023-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.