Sustainable Urban Water Governance: Identifying Barriers and Strategies in Green Water Management through Bibliometric Review

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has intensified challenges in sustainable water management, putting pressure on conventional wastewater treatment systems and threatening urban water security. This study systematically identifies key social, economic, and technical barriers to the sustainability of green water management and explores integrated strategies to overcome these obstacles. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 14 peer-reviewed articles published between 2021 and 2025, retrieved from the Scopus database. Using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and thematic mapping, the study reveals dominant research themes and collaborative networks in this field. The findings highlight critical barriers such as low public awareness, inadequate infrastructure, funding limitations, weak policies, climate variability, and insufficient stakeholder cooperation. Major research topics include rainwater, runoff, and climate change impacts, with significant contributions from China, the United States, South Korea, and Italy. Recommended strategies to address these challenges include enhancing public education, developing green infrastructure, fostering multi-sector collaboration, strengthening regulations, and promoting further research. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to improve urban water governance and resilience through sustainable green water management amid rapid metropolitan growth.