Chapter 24 - Critical assessment and future dimensions for the urban ecological systems

Abstract

This chapter indicates that there is a dire need for a comprehensive book on urban ecological studies, which holistically addresses emerging concepts of urbanization and compiles an all-inclusive account of development in its various themes. In this chapter, we have applied bibliometric analysis to assess the state of research in the past 10 years. Furthermore, the conceptual structure, density and centrality of the major themes were explored, which revealed that the current research may be organized into Ecology of Cities, Ecology in Cities and Management and Sustainability. The major challenges faced in these broad categories were described based on the review of literature, and their possible solutions were also highlighted. It was found that transdisciplinary approach with coproduction of research activities is the essential requirement for the Urban Ecology at present time.