Land use diversity and vegetation structure effects on urban heat Island intensity (2000–2024): A bibliometric analysis

Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a major challenge for sustainable urban development, intensifying climate change impacts, reducing environmental quality, and deepening socio-economic inequalities. While research on UHI has expanded, the specific roles of land-use diversity and vegetation structure remain fragmented. This study offers a data-driven and explicitly focused bibliometric overview of the UHI–land-use diversity–vegetation structure nexus (2000–2024), complementing prior broader UHI bibliometric reviews by concentrating on this specific intersection. A total of 199 publications were retrieved from Scopus and examined through co-occurrence and co-authorship analyses in VOS viewer to map themes, methods, and geographic trends. Findings show that India leads in publication volume, followed by China and the United States, with increasing contributions from Germany and Iran. China and the United States also occupy central positions in the international collaboration network, reflecting strong cross-border connectivity and methodological influence. Methodologically, the field has evolved from basic Land Surface Temperature (LST) mapping to advanced GIS, remote sensing, machine learning, and multi-scalar simulations. Thematic clusters highlight the importance of spatial configuration, green–blue infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. However, critical gaps persist: research rarely addresses small and medium-sized cities, especially in developing countries, and socio-economic and health dimensions of UHI remain underexplored. The study contributes by mapping the evolution of UHI research and identifying these gaps while also pointing to emerging directions such as climate resilience, nature-based strategies, and technological innovation. It provides a valuable reference for scholars and a foundation for policymakers to design sustainable urban climate strategies that integrate ecological, technological, and social perspectives.