Urban symbiosis in municipal solid waste management and reduction: insights from a bibliometric review

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) output has escalated to critical levels due to the fast expansion of urban populations and industrial activity. This poses serious risks to environmental sustainability due to resource inefficiencies, greenhouse gas emissions, and increased landfilling. By encouraging interorganisational cooperation and resource sharing among urban systems to improve waste reduction and material recovery, urban symbiosis presents a viable remedy. The purpose of this study is to investigate how urban symbiosis might enhance MSW management through a thorough bibliometric analysis. The study analyses patterns of international collaboration, evaluates the topic's development, and identifies the most significant sources and authors. 50 journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 were analysed using a bibliometric approach. Systematic keyword searches were used to retrieve relevant articles from Scopus. To find research hotspots, top journals, top authors, and country-by-country contributions, a manual content analysis was used. Collaboration networks and keyword co-occurrence maps were created using VOS viewer software. While the concept of urban symbiosis has been increasingly applied in the context of industrial ecology and circular economy, existing literature remains fragmented with limited cross-sectoral integration. Most studies focus on isolated case applications without exploring broader synergies or long-term sustainability outcomes. This study presents a consolidated body of knowledge that documents the historical and thematic development of urban symbiosis in MSW management. The findings serve as a valuable resource for researchers, urban planners, and policymakers seeking to advance resilient and resource efficient urban waste systems.