Sponge city concepts in contemporary literature: trends, thematic clusters and challenges for sustainable urban water management

Uncontrolled urbanization and urban planning deficits for climate risks have intensified water-related challenges in cities worldwide. The sponge city concept, as an innovative climate adaptation strategy, seeks to safeguard urban populations from the negative consequences of climate change by improving resilience through sustainable water management practices. This study systematically examines the effectiveness and scalability of the sponge city concept using PRISMA-guided meta-analysis and bibliometric review. The central research question investigates whether the sponge city functions as an effective and scalable tool for climate adaptation across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. Utilizing a meta-analysis and bibliometric framework, the study synthesizes existing literature to identify key trends, thematic clusters, and critical knowledge gaps. The findings indicate the sponge city concept holds significant promise for sustainable urban water management, particularly in mitigating urban flooding, improving water quality, and enhancing ecological resilience. However, its effectiveness remains highly contingent upon local socio-economic and geographical conditions.