Research progress and trend analysis of greenway theory in China based on Citespace

Greenway plays an important role as the linkage in urban area. The unique belt shape and function of greenway effectively connect various types of urban green patches, hence effectively undermining the impact of urbanization to urban ecological environment. In addition, the attributes of greenway itself in ecology, society, economy, and aesthetics provide the urban development with fresh vitality. With the quantitative measurement of literature and the computing help of Citespace, taking “greenway” as keyword, the research progress of greenway in China in recent 20 years is chronologically analyzed by the clustering of literature quantity, key literature in crucial timing, distribution of co-authors, institute of co-authors, hotspots literature, and key words. The existing achievements, research hotspots, and further research interests of present Chinese scholars are generalized. It forms the foundation and guideline for the complement of future Chinese greenway research system.