The selection of a subject is a fundamental consideration in scientific research conducted within academic contexts. It is imperative that the chosen subject is relevant and capable of addressing a scientific gap. This study performs a systematic literature review and co-citation analysis using VOSviewer on 1,916 Scopus-indexed articles (2010–2023) to map the intellectual structure of spatial perception research. From 219 refined keywords, seven thematic clusters emerge: urban aesthetics, infrastructure, social behavior, environmental factors, spatial planning, crime and security, and pedestrian perception. Key findings reveal a shift from aesthetics-focused research to technology- and sustainability-driven approaches, with emerging trends like virtual reality (28 occurrences), green spaces (187 occurrences), and Covid-19 impacts (58 occurrences post-2019). The analysis identifies knowledge gaps and proposes future directions, including AI-driven spatial analysis, long-term urban transformation effects, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This research offers a comprehensive map of spatial perception, shedding light on evolving themes shaping the field.
Sharifkazemi et al. (Sat,) studied this question.