Urban spaces reimagined: a systematic review of 3D urban modeling

This systematic literature review examines the evolution and applications of 3D urban models from 2015 to 2025. Using the Web of Science database and PRISMA guidelines, 2,496 articles were retrieved, of which 177 were selected for in-depth analysis. The findings indicate that advances in data infrastructure and AI-driven methods have fundamentally reshaped 3D urban modeling while expanding its applications across key domains such as sustainability, resilience, heritage preservation, and transportation. The review also highlights persistent challenges related to technical standardization, computational demands, data ethics, and social equity. Finally, it identifies future directions in multi-scale simulation, participatory visualization, and interdisciplinary integration, providing insights for the continued development of urban modeling research and practice.