Key Challenges and Strategies in the Evaluation of Sustainable Urban Regeneration Projects: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanisation has heightened the need for sustainable urban regeneration projects on a global scale. These projects primarily aim to address the increasing demand for buildings and to cultivate liveable urban environments. Over the years, a substantial amount of data has been collected and analysed as a result of various urban regeneration efforts. These data indicate that the success of urban transformation is influenced by a wide range of interconnected factors rather than the mere creation of new areas to meet demand. The primary objective of this study is to carry out a comprehensive and systematic literature review that assesses the effectiveness of sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) projects. This review examines a range of existing factors, including policies, management practices, and economic considerations, while also highlighting frequently overlooked elements such as climate change. Moreover, the study investigates how these factors influence the success of SUR initiatives and seeks to identify their overall impact on the effectiveness of such projects. Specifically, it explores the common challenges encountered, the criteria for performance evaluation, and the strategies that lead to successful SUR projects while emphasising their interconnections. An in-depth assessment of urban regeneration projects is provided, focusing on performance indicators across multiple dimensions: social, cultural, economic, environmental, and physical. A novel organisation involving all stakeholders and addressing climate change is also proposed to ensure the success of the SUR projects. Lastly, the findings highlight existing gaps in the current literature, offering valuable insights for future research and identifying potential directions for further exploration.

1. Introduction

Urban areas are dynamic and complex systems that serve as the physical environment for people’s daily activities. They function as hubs for living, working, recreation, and other pursuits. Towns and cities hold political power and reflect various dynamics that influence physical, social, environmental, and economic transitions [1]. Approximately 55% of the world’s population currently prefers living in urban rather than rural areas. This proportion is expected to increase significantly to nearly 70% (approximately 7 billion people) by 2050 [2]. Therefore, cities and metropolitan regions face significant challenges that necessitate comprehensive urban regeneration projects. Since they involve many people and large budgets, effective research and time must be invested to minimise these issues.

The term “urban challenges” often encompasses a range of environmental issues, including the presence of derelict land, redundant industrial structures, pollution, and contaminated land [3]. Additionally, the community is confronted with significant social challenges, including poverty, a lack of social cohesion, inadequate housing, and economic difficulties, such as stagnation, long-term unemployment, and a scarcity of entrepreneurship. The challenges above considerably affect urban regeneration projects. Urban regeneration can be defined as “a comprehensive and integrated approach and action which seeks to resolve urban issues and achieve lasting improvements in an area’s economic, environmental, physical, and social conditions, of an area that has been subject to change or offers opportunities for improvement. Therefore, the goal is often associated with improving social, economic, and environmental conditions” [4]. Briefly, urban regeneration allows communities to foster sustainable and intelligent city development.

Over the past five decades, regeneration policies have undergone various changes in direction to address urban issues and counteract the decline in urban areas. Different alternatives, including new laws, rules, and methodologies, have been offered for urban regeneration in deteriorating regions [5].

The concept of urban regeneration has evolved from an initial focus on physical transformation to a more comprehensive approach that considers economic, social, physical, and environmental factors in the regeneration of cities. This shift has led to the development of specialised methodologies for sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) [6]. In the present era, SUR is regarded as a multidisciplinary endeavour encompassing the formulation and execution of policies within the realms of urban planning, urban design, transportation, economics, urban development, sustainable solutions, and housing design. Given the extensive scope of SUR, more than a singular, universal approach to its implementation is needed [7]. The fundamental principles of inner-city redevelopment programs typically include the implementation of comprehensive and integrated policy interventions. These interventions are based on a long-term, location-specific strategic approach, which involves a continual process carried out by a multi-sectoral alliance. The primary objective is to achieve environmental sustainability [8].

SUR projects typically involve collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments, private developers, community groups, and citizens. The aim is to create a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive urban environment capable of meeting the needs of current and future generations. Cooperation among the different stakeholders is vital to enhance the community’s social, economic, and environmental well-being while revitalising the physical area [9]. For cities to thrive as drivers of economic growth, it is essential to implement policies that enhance economic competitiveness and social cohesion and address environmental challenges. Insufficient governance and leadership present pressing obstacles to cities’ economic success and competitiveness. SUR projects seek to revitalise declining urban areas by addressing social, economic, and environmental issues to create more vibrant and sustainable urban environments [10]. Effective policy necessitates a balanced and inclusive plan that addresses SUR’s economic, social, environmental, and cultural dimensions. It must also engage the community and encourage long-term sustainable growth. The approaches to regeneration have evolved through time. Over the past sixty years, three distinct approaches or agendas have emerged. Although varied, they are interconnected and frequently overlap. The first regeneration approach is the urban renewal agenda. This focuses on improving physical and environmental conditions in metropolitan areas, particularly those with physical dereliction. The social inclusion agenda primarily focuses on the circumstances of impoverished neighbourhoods. It promotes community regeneration by fostering social solidarity and engagement. The economic competitiveness agenda aims to improve economic performance and create job opportunities [4].

Despite the widespread use of SUR schemes, assessing their effectiveness remains difficult. The success of these projects depends on several elements, including stakeholder engagement, funding mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and the integration of different urban planning strategies. Understanding what constitutes effective UR and identifying the best practices and barriers are essential to guide future projects and to ensure that they deliver the desired outcomes [11].

The construction industry is increasingly recognising the significant effects of climate change on project management [12]. This recognition is prompting a shift in practices to promote resilience and sustainability. As climate-related risks increase, it is vital to adapt our strategies to address these challenges. Climate resilience involves designing buildings that can withstand extreme weather and changing conditions [13]. Structures should be engineered for both current and future extremes, such as rising temperatures and flooding. Important considerations include elevating buildings and using low-carbon materials to reduce the carbon footprint [14]. In summary, all of this suggests that climate change adaptation could be a major factor in addressing one of the key challenges of SUR projects.

This study conducts a comprehensive review of the performance of SUR through a systematic literature review. The study aims to analyse the existing methodologies used to evaluate these projects and to emphasise the social, economic, environmental, and cultural impacts reported in the literature. The other objective of this review is to enhance the existing discourse on SUR by providing insights into how these projects could be more effectively planned, implemented, and evaluated in the context of contemporary urban challenges. Through a systematic literature review, this paper offers a comprehensive assessment of the performance of SUR projects, providing indispensable insights and laying the groundwork for future research and practice in SUR.

2. Methodology

2.1. Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review (SLR) is a method used to gather a wide range of information on a particular scientific question. It involves thoroughly reviewing the literature to address specific research questions using predetermined eligibility criteria and clearly defined methods [15]. We conducted an SLR to assess the performance of urban regeneration projects by assessing urban regeneration projects’ social, economic, environmental, and cultural impacts; we used this method because it uses a proper, thorough, and scientific approach to synthesise research evidence on specific topics, ensuring reliability and comprehensiveness [16]. A systematic literature review is also observed to be a common method used in civil engineering articles to identify and evaluate all relevant literature on a topic, with the aim of deriving conclusions about the question under consideration [17,18]. The review identified effective ways, such as community participation and mixed-use development, as well as barriers, such as gentrification and financial issues, through the analysis of peer-reviewed articles, reports, and case studies. The structure of the methodology is established to emphasise a proper understanding of the multiple impacts of urban regeneration through holistic and participatory evaluation methods. The findings are set to assist policy makers, practitioners, and academics in creating resilient and inclusive urban environments through a suggested systematic literature review by text and association rules mining [19,20].

We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines in the development of this review. Systematic reviews frequently suffer from a lack of awareness regarding shared guidelines that ensure replicability and scientific rigor. PRISMA offers a widely accepted methodology, complete with a guideline checklist (Supplementary Materials), which was meticulously followed in this paper.

2.2. Selection of Database

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across a range of academic databases, including Scopus, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The search was limited to peer-reviewed publications, official reports from large organisations (i.e., the European Commission), and reviews written in English that included the search terms in the title, abstract, or keywords. On the other hand, grey literature, i.e., non-peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, workshop results, government policy reports, etc., which did not have formal and academic characteristics, was not included in our study.

2.3. Search Strings and Keywords

In this research, keywords such as urban renewal, regeneration, and redevelopment, as well as sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) and performance, were used. Different keywords and their synonyms were utilised to identify the studies, as different literature implements varying terminology. For example, different terms, such as urban reconstruction, revitalisation, renewal, urban redevelopment, and regeneration, have been used in different decades to describe the efforts.

To effectively navigate the selected databases, we utilised the search strings outlined in

Table 1. The search strings of the systematic review process.

Data Sources	Search Strings
The First Source of Data: Scopus	Article Title, Abstract, and Keywords Adaption, TITLE-ABS-KEY (“urban regenerat*” OR “urban renewal” OR “urban redevelopment”) AND (“performance assess*” OR “performance evaluat*” OR “project success*” OR “project performance” OR “effectiveness”) AND (“challenge*” OR “barrier*” OR “obstacle*” OR “difficult*”) AND (“strateg*” OR “approach*” OR “framework*”) AND (“sustain*”) AND ((“social impact*” OR “cultural impact*” OR “economic impact*” OR “environmental impact*” OR “physical impact*”) OR (“stakeholder W/2 (engagement OR participation)”) OR (“policy framework*” OR “methodolog*” OR “strategic approach*”)) AND DOCTYPE (ar OR re) AND PUBYEAR > 1999 AND PUBYEAR < 2026 AND PUBYEAR > 1999 AND PUBYEAR < 2025
The Second Source of Data: Web of Science (WOS)	Article Title, Abstract, and Keywords Adaption, TS = ((“urban regenerat*” OR “urban renewal” OR “urban redevelopment”) AND (“performance assess*” OR “performance evaluat*” OR “project success*” OR “project performance” OR “effectiveness”) AND (“challenge*” OR “barrier*” OR “obstacle*” OR “difficult*”) AND (“strateg*” OR “approach*” OR “framework*”) AND (“sustain*”) AND ((“social impact*” OR “cultural impact*” OR “economic impact*” OR “environmental impact*” OR “physical impact*”) OR (“stakeholder engagement” OR “stakeholder participat*”) OR (“policy” OR “methodology*” OR “strategic approach*”)) AND DOCUMENT TYPES: (Article OR Review)
The Third Source of Data: SpringerLink	Article Title, Abstract, and Keywords Adaption, (“urban regeneration” OR “urban renewal” OR “urban redevelopment”) AND (“performance assessment” OR “performance evaluation” OR “project success” OR “project performance” OR effectiveness) AND (challenges OR barriers OR obstacles OR difficulties) AND (strategies OR approaches OR frameworks) AND (sustainable OR sustainability) AND (“performance indicators” OR “performance assessment” OR “performance evaluation” OR “success factors” OR “effectiveness”) AND (“social impact” OR “cultural impact” OR “economic impact” OR “environmental impact” OR “physical impact” OR “stakeholder engagement” OR “policy framework” OR “methodology”)
The Fourth Source of Data: Google Scholar	Article Title, Abstract, and Keywords Adaption, (“urban regeneration” OR “urban renewal” OR “urban redevelopment”) AND (“performance assessment” OR “performance evaluation” OR “project success” OR “project performance”) AND (challenges OR barriers OR obstacles) AND (strategies OR approaches) AND (sustainable OR sustainability) AND (“performance indicators” OR “performance assessment” OR “effectiveness”) AND (“social impact” OR “cultural impact” OR “economic impact” OR “environmental impact” OR “stakeholder engagement”)

. These strings were carefully crafted to align with the specific research questions guiding our study, ensuring that we garnered relevant and insightful results. Each search string was designed with particular keywords and phrases that reflected the core themes of our research, allowing us to filter through the vast amounts of data more efficiently. This strategic approach facilitated a thorough exploration of the available literature and resources, ultimately enhancing the quality of our findings.

2.4. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to align with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to identify relevant publications for the research topic. These criteria are detailed in

Table 2. The inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Criteria	Inclusion	Exclusion
Relevance to the Topic	Studies; focusing on urban regeneration, urban renewal, or urban transformation projects, explicitly addressing sustainability aspects of urban regeneration, presenting strategies, frameworks, or approaches for successful urban regeneration, analysing stakeholder engagement in urban regeneration projects, discussing lessons learned or best practices.	Studies; without sustainability considerations, without clear performance assessment elements, without clear methodology or evaluation criteria, without clear methodology or conclusions, without clear connection to project performance.
Publication Type	Peer-reviewed journal articles, WOS-based conference papers and large (multi-country) organisation reports.	Non-peer-reviewed sources, academic and country reports, non-WOS-based conference papers, book chapters.
Language	English	--------------
Time Frame	Between 2000 and 2024	Before 2020
Study Type	Both quantitative and qualitative research.	--------------
Geographical Scope	From any geographical region.	--------------
Dissertations and Theses	Ph.D. thesis only available as a full text.	Unpublished works, dissertations, and restricted-access Ph.D. theses.
Non-Accessibility	Accessible through the selected databases.	--------------
Open Access	Published in open-access journals or open-access versions of articles within subscription-based journals.	--------------

. To be considered for inclusion, studies must focus on urban regeneration, renewal, or transformation projects, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. These studies should outline strategies, frameworks, or approaches that contribute to effective urban regeneration, discuss stakeholder engagement, and provide lessons learned or best practices. The publication types accepted include peer-reviewed journal articles, Web of Science (WOS)-indexed conference papers, and reports from major international organisations, all of which should be accessible through selected databases. Submissions must be in English, with a focus on publications from 2000 to 2024, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative research from any geographical region. Ph.D. theses are taken into account if they are fully accessible, with a preference for open-access publications.

Studies are excluded from consideration if they fail to incorporate sustainability considerations, do not address elements of performance assessment, or lack clear methodologies and evaluation criteria. Non-peer-reviewed sources, academic reports, country-specific studies, and conference papers not indexed in Web of Science (WOS) are also omitted. Furthermore, unpublished works, dissertations, and restricted-access Ph.D. theses are disregarded to ensure relevance and accessibility. This rigorous selection process is intended to include only those studies that demonstrate comprehensive methodologies and offer substantial insights into sustainable urban regeneration.

2.5. Eligibility Criteria

Figure 1 illustrates the process of identifying journal articles using the PRISMA methodology (the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) [21]. The first phase of the methodology (identification) focuses only on the titles, key concepts, and the scope of the studies (1397 studies) and removes the duplicated research (1222 studies). The second part (screening) analyses the studies that are considered suitable, particularly the sections within the studies that contain key concepts. In this stage, the quality of the studies is also assessed by reading all the publications to demonstrate the strength of the evidence provided by the systematic review, to increase the reliability of the study, and to provide information about the standards of future research. In the final stage, the number of studies to be used in the research is indicated.

Since we utilised the WOS, Scopus, SpringerLink and Google Scholar search engines, we were able to retrieve the same article from a different database (resulting in duplicated records). The same 1022 articles were scanned across these databases. Additionally, it was realised twice that two sources by the same authors (one a conference paper and the other an SCI-indexed article) represented the same research. The extended research was preferred, while the other was excluded from the study (Records removed for other reasons (n = 2)). In the screening section, we analysed the abstracts (“Records screened”) and conducted a full-text review (“Reports Assessed for Eligibility”) of the remaining 101 academic articles, indicating the excluded articles. Out of the 173 articles, 47 were found to be irrelevant to the research questions. We followed the suggestion of the Prisma flow and took into account the remaining articles. Thus, we were able to find the full text for 5 articles (Reports not retrieved) as the next step. We also found that 22 reports did not meet the criteria represented by Table 2. The details relevant to the research topic were noted after analysing the remaining 121 academic studies in detail (full-text review). In our analysis, we found that 22 studies did not address the specific topic adequately and thus did not offer a clear and satisfactory response to the research questions. These studies were found to lack the necessary depth and clarity to adequately address the research questions. In conclusion, 99 publications were identified for inclusion in the research topic and contributed to our research.

As a result, we conducted data extraction and data synthesis in relation to the 99 publications, including 93 journal papers, 5 book/conference studies, and 1 report. During data extraction, we gathered the required information about the findings and characteristics of the studies included. In the data synthesis, we assessed and compared the factors, findings, or formulas related to the performance of urban regeneration projects.

This research study follows the guidelines outlined by PRISMA. However, it does not have a PRISMA registration number. Nonetheless, we maintained rigorous methodology and transparency throughout the investigation to ensure the integrity and reliability of the findings.

2.6. Risk of Bias

To ensure the appropriateness of the studies selected for this review and to minimise any potential bias, the ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies—of Interventions) tool was utilised. The tool is particularly useful for systematic reviews that include non-randomised studies of interventions, such as cohort or case-control studies, where there is a potential for bias due to the lack of random assignment [22].

Table 3. ROBINS-I to assess the studies’ bias.

Criteria	Description	Risk of Bias	Assessment Notes
Bias due to confounding	Are there confounding factors (e.g., regional differences, socio-political contexts) that were not adequately controlled across studies?	Moderate	Urban regeneration projects depend on their context, as local policies and economic conditions can vary between studies.
Bias in the selection of participants	Were the studies in the review representative of all SUR projects, or were some projects more likely to be included?	Moderate	Selection may favour more visible or well-documented projects, potentially resulting in bias regarding geographic or project-type representation.
Bias in the classification of interventions	Were urban regeneration initiatives clearly defined and consistently categorised?	Serious	Variations in how “sustainable” and “urban regeneration” are defined can lead to differences in study inclusion, which may impact comparability.
Bias due to deviations from intended interventions	Did the studies consistently report on the actual interventions as planned, or were there any deviations?	Low	Many studies indicate intended interventions; however, variations in project implementation, such as policy changes, may introduce bias.
Bias due to missing data	Are there gaps in reporting outcome data for certain aspects (e.g., social vs. environmental impacts)?	Moderate	Some studies may not provide comprehensive data, particularly regarding long-term effects, which can result in incomplete evaluations.
Bias in the measurement of outcomes	Were outcomes measured similarly across studies, or were there inconsistencies?	Serious	Studies may vary in how they define “success” or “efficacy”, leading to possible bias in performance metrics.
Bias in the selection of reported results	Were there instances in which only certain findings were reported while other data were omitted selectively?	Moderate	Publication bias may favour studies with positive results and selective reporting of positive outcomes is possible.

assesses the potential biases in a systematic review of sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) projects using the ROBINS-I tool. A summary of each bias category and its ratings, as either low, moderate, or serious is given below:

Bias Due to Confounding (Moderate Risk): Confounding arises when external factors—such as regional policies, economic conditions, or cultural variations—influence the outcomes of urban regeneration projects. In the context of SUR projects, the diverse regional contexts may not be fully accounted for across studies, complicating efforts to draw universally applicable conclusions. Although some studies strive to control for these variables, the inherent differences in project locations introduce a moderate risk of bias due to confounding.

Bias in Participant Selection (Moderate Risk): This bias pertains to the extent to which the studies included in the review accurately reflect the full spectrum of SUR projects. For example, more prominent or high-impact projects may be studied more often, while smaller, less-publicised projects could be underrepresented. This selective representation introduces a moderate risk, as the conclusions drawn may favour certain types of projects over others.

Bias in Classification of Interventions (Serious Risk): The concept of “sustainable urban regeneration” can be interpreted in various ways depending on the study, leading to a lack of a universally accepted classification. This variability in definitions and classifications introduces a significant risk of bias. The absence of standardisation complicates direct comparisons between studies, as some may emphasise economic factors more heavily, while others might focus on social or environmental considerations.

Bias Arising from Deviations in Intended Interventions (Low Risk): The majority of the studies report that SUR interventions were carried out as originally planned. Nevertheless, there are instances where interventions might have diverged due to shifts in policy or funding limitations. Since such deviations are infrequent in the studies reviewed, this bias is deemed to pose a low risk.

Bias Arising from Missing Data (Moderate Risk): Certain studies may not present complete data across all outcome domains—such as social, economic, and environmental domains—particularly when long-term impact measurements are lacking. This omission can introduce moderate bias, as the review may not encompass all pertinent performance indicators.

Bias in Outcome Measurement (Serious Risk): There is considerable variability in how outcomes such as “success” or “effectiveness” are defined and measured across different studies. For instance, one study may assess success based on economic impact, while another may emphasise social impact. This inconsistency poses a significant risk, as it complicates the comparison of results and hinders the ability to draw generalised conclusions about SUR projects.

Bias in the Selection of Reported Results (Moderate Risk): This type of bias arises when studies selectively report favourable outcomes or when publication bias favours studies with positive findings. Given the tendency to highlight successful outcomes in urban regeneration, it is probable that moderate bias affects the reporting of results, thereby impacting the overall reliability of the conclusions drawn in the review.

This evaluation illustrates the difficulties involved in analysing research on intricate, context-sensitive subjects such as urban regeneration. The moderate and serious ratings emphasise aspects that might affect the review’s outcomes and indicate the importance of being careful when interpreting the results.

2.7. Research Questions

This systematic process, which includes a clearly defined research question, an intensive search strategy, and a critical appraisal of the included papers, is essential for topics such as urban studies, management, and engineering sciences [15,23]. It can provide a comprehensive summary of the existing knowledge in a specific field, which will also help identify future research priorities. Furthermore, it can address questions that individual studies are unable to answer, pinpoint issues in primary research that need further investigation, and develop or assess theories about the occurrence of phenomena. The questions to fulfil the objectives are as follows:

• RQ1: What insights have we gained regarding the overall impacts of SUR projects?
• RQ2: What key performance indicators are identified for SUR projects?
• RQ3: What factors contribute to the success of SUR projects, and how should their performance be evaluated?
• RQ4: What strategies and planning methods are used in urban regeneration projects to guide their development from the initial stages?
• RQ5: In what ways do stakeholder roles influence the success of SUR projects?
• RQ6: How can we define an organisation to increase the performance of SUR projects based on the currently available data?

Section 4 contains responses to all of the aforementioned questions, and a comprehensive discussion of these responses is available in Section 5. In Section 5.3, Section 5.4 and Section 5.5, only research question 6 (RQ6) is presented, which requires insights to be drawn from related questions and existing literature for a comprehensive understanding. To adequately address RQ6, it is proposed that an organisation be established that incorporates contemporary and innovative topics, such as climate change, into its framework. This approach aims to ensure a well-rounded analysis and fosters relevant discussions that align with current global challenges.

3. Statistical Results of Qualitative Database

3.1. The Distribution of Journal and Conference Papers

Journals, conference papers, and review books from key databases like Web Science and Scopus between the years 2000 and 2024 were selected. A significant number of publications related to sustainability were identified, including esteemed journals such as Land Use Policy, the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, and the International Journal of Project Management. This research examines 93 journals (mostly from WOS), excluding conference, book, and book chapter publications. The following list (

Table 4. List of journals that are the subjects of review for this study.

Title of Journals	Number of Selected Papers
Sustainability	11
International Journal of Project Management	6
Land Use Policy	6
International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology	5
Journal of Urban Planning and Development	5
Buildings	4
Cities	4
Habitat International	4
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management	3
Journal of Management in Engineering	3
Local Government Studies	3
Urban Studies	3
Building Research & Information	2
Journal of civil engineering and management	2
Journal of Urban Management	2
Land	2
Local Environment	2
Reliability Engineering & System Safety	2
Sustainable Cities and Society	2
Arabian Journal of Geosciences	1
Advances in Civil Engineering	1
City and Environment Interactions	1
Ecological Indicators	1
Engineering Sustainability	1
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management	1
Environmental Science & Policy	1
Environmental Science and Pollution Research	1
Epic Series in Built Environment	1
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities	1
International Journal of Information Management	1
Journal of Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences	1
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal	1
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers	1
Research Methods and Reporting	1
Scientific Reports	1
Smart Cities	1
Technological and Economic Development of Economy	1
The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering	1
The City Project	1
The Design Journal	1
Urbani Izziv	1

) comprises the journals that were consulted in the course of this study’s review process.

As can be seen, the studies selected for the research have been disseminated in many journals. These publications are mainly observed to be included in environmental studies and management categories in the SSCI edition and in civil engineering categories in the SCIE edition. Figure 2 illustrates the distribution of the studies in the journals presented in Table 4 over the years from 2000 to 2024. No studies were conducted between 2000 and 2002. It is observed that research articles on urban regeneration and the performance of urban regeneration projects have increased in recent years.

The increasing number of publications on urban regeneration reflects growing global concerns about urban regeneration and the performance of urban regeneration projects. Starting with minimal publications (1–2 papers) in the early 2000s, there was a notable surge beginning around 2013–2014 (from 4 to 8 papers), with significant growth continuing through the 2020s (reaching peaks of 11–13 papers). This acceleration likely stems from several factors: rising urbanisation challenges worldwide, increased focus on sustainable development goals, and growing environmental awareness. The peak in 2023 (13 papers) suggests that urban regeneration has become a critical focus in SUR research, possibly driven by climate change considerations and the global push for more resilient and sustainable cities. The sustained high numbers in recent years (2020–2023) also indicate that urban regeneration has established itself as a crucial field of study to address contemporary urban challenges.

3.2. The Contribution of Countries to the Study

As for country distributions, the authors’ affiliations have been considered. Since several articles represent the same countries and the total number of authors is high, it may not accurately reflect the true impact of those countries on the topic. Therefore, the collaboration index (CI) was used to effectively gain insights into the origins and collaborative nature of the research papers. The formula is as follows:

$${CI}_i={\displaystyle \frac{n_i}{N}}$$

where $n_i$ is the number of authors from the i-th countries, and $N$ is the total number of authors in the study. The $CI$ index was calculated for each study and summed up for the same countries. The results are shown in Figure 3.

This world map illustrates the global distribution of authors publishing research on urban regeneration project performance and reveals significant geographical patterns. The collaboration index (CI) ranges from 0.17 to 23, suggesting varying degrees of international contribution in this research field. A higher $CI$ indicates a greater degree of impact on this research. China (CI:23) stands out with the darkest blue shading, indicating it is the most prolific contributor to this field of research, which likely reflects its rapid urbanisation and numerous urban renewal initiatives in recent decades. The United States also shows substantial research activity, represented by a medium blue shade, suggesting strong academic interest in urban regeneration, possibly due to its ongoing efforts to revitalise post-industrial cities. The United Kingdom (CI:15.5) appears as a notable European contributor, which aligns with its historical experience in urban renewal since the post-war period. Other regions showing involvement include Australia, Brazil, and parts of Europe, though with lighter blue shading indicating fewer publications. Interestingly, large parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia appear in grey, indicating limited published research on urban regeneration performance in these regions, despite their rapid urbanisation. This distribution pattern might reflect not only research interests but also differences in academic resources, urbanisation challenges, and research funding across different regions of the world.

3.3. The Keywords, Title, and Abstract Analysis of the Studies

A co-occurrence graph was created to understand the intellectual structure of the research field, identify key research themes and their interconnections, and show how the different aspects of urban regeneration relate to each other.

VOSviewer was used to illustrate the complex interconnections within sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) research (Figure 4). The network map reveals several distinct clusters, indicated by different colours (blue, green, and red), with “project” appearing as the central and most prominent node in green, indicating its role as a core concept in the field. The visualisation demonstrates strong thematic relationships between key terms: the blue cluster appears to focus on analytical and theoretical aspects (including “insight”, “literature”, “change”, and “actor”), and the green cluster emphasises implementation and process-related terms (“analysis”, “strategy”, “outcome”, and “methodology”), while the red cluster connects to sustainability and planning aspects (“sustainable urban regeneration”, “sustainable development”, “planning”, and “policy”).

The strong interconnections shown in the visualisation emphasise that successful urban regeneration projects require a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, economic, and policy aspects simultaneously. The prominence of terms like “sustainability”, “community”, “strategy”, and “policy” suggests that these are crucial factors in evaluating and implementing effective urban regeneration projects. All these insights are responded to and discussed thoroughly in Section 4 and Section 5.

4. Analysis and Assessments

The objective of this section is to meticulously present the data derived from the existing sources and the methods outlined in Section 2. Put simply, the data pertaining to the research questions addressed in Section 2.5 are systematically presented, section by section.

4.1. The Impacts of Sustainable Urban Regeneration Projects (RQ1)

SUR projects are widely acknowledged for their substantial benefits, including enhanced social cohesion, economic growth, improved environmental quality, and the preservation of cultural heritage [24]. However, it is crucial to recognise that these initiatives can also yield negative consequences [25,26]. Poorly conceived or executed regeneration efforts may result in unintended outcomes, such as gentrification, social displacement, or environmental degradation. Although these adverse effects are often less highlighted in the existing literature, they are essential for understanding the full breadth of urban regeneration. Exploring both the positive and negative impacts provides a more balanced perspective that can guide the development of more sustainable and inclusive regeneration practices.

Socially, SUR projects are noted to improve people’s lives by providing better housing and public facilities, fostering community cohesion, increasing safety, and promoting health benefits. Economically, it has been stressed that they create jobs, increase property values, stimulate business growth, and attract tourists. Environmentally, they are said to promote sustainable development by reducing pollution, improving green spaces, and enhancing waste management. Culturally, they protect heritage, revive cultural practices, encourage community involvement, and provide educational opportunities [27]. The process of urban regeneration offers a multitude of advantages, including the enhancement of the quality of life in urban areas through the creation of appealing, secure, and functional environments for residents and visitors. It improves the quality of housing, transport, public services, cultural facilities, green spaces, and social cohesion. Furthermore, urban regeneration encourages a sense of belonging and identity among urban residents by addressing their specific needs and preferences [28].

4.2. Key Performance Indicators Assessments (RQ2)

Indicators measure crucial links in the causal chain of an urban regeneration project, signalling its ultimate success. The indicators were analysed to see whether they were available in other sources and were not included when there was a contrary opinion in other sources. This situation is examined in the future direction section of the conclusion.

Economic indicators: One of the primary objectives of urban regeneration projects is to stimulate economic development in the target area, thereby creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and investment [29]. As a result, some of the economic indicators of success include an increase in the number and diversity of businesses and jobs in the area that meet local needs and potential; an improvement in the income and purchasing power of residents; an increase in the attractiveness and competitiveness of the area to attract more visitors, customers, and investors; and the generation of public and private revenues and savings in public expenditure due to an increase in the number of visitors, customers, and investors [10]. An SUR project is successful if it meets the needs of all the stakeholders and maximises economic benefits [30].

Social indicators: Urban regeneration projects aim to not only improve the physical environment of an area but also the well-being of its people and quality of life [31]. Success can be measured in terms of increased satisfaction and happiness among residents, as well as a greater sense of belonging and identity [32]. Additionally, social capital and networks should be strengthened, while social problems, such as crime, violence, drug abuse, homelessness, and discrimination, should be reduced. Finally, adequate and accessible social services and facilities should be provided to the area’s residents, including education, health, culture, and recreation [33].

Environmental indicators: A key aspect of urban regeneration projects involves addressing the environmental challenges and opportunities in the area, promoting sustainability and resilience [34,35]. To measure success, we look for improvements in environmental quality and performance related to the reduction in pollution, waste, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions—as well as the increase in green and blue infrastructure and spaces and the promotion of low-carbon and circular economy practices, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and resource recovery [36]. Additionally, we seek to engage and raise awareness among residents and stakeholders in the area, encouraging environmental stewardship and behaviour change [37].

Physical indicators: The most conspicuous aspect of urban regeneration projects is the physical transformation that enhances the functionality, aesthetic appeal, and accessibility of the area. Notable indicators of success include improved building design and quality that reflect local character and culture, increased mix and diversity of uses, improved connectivity and mobility, and integration with the wider urban context [38]. This contributes to a vibrant, dynamic environment that facilitates the movement of people, goods, and information while encouraging synergies and complementarities [39].

Governance and participation indicators: In order to ensure the success of an urban regeneration project, it is essential to facilitate the active involvement of community members and stakeholders in the decision-making process. Moreover, it is crucial to maintain transparency and accountability in governance, as well as to establish effective long-term governance structures. These measures will guarantee the sustainability and success of the project [40]. Furthermore, it is often mentioned in the literature that the success of an urban regeneration project depends on the collaboration of central and local governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations and the participation of local residents in the process [41,42]. This intra-stakeholder relationship is discussed in Section 4.4.

4.3. Identification of Contributing Factors to Successful SUR Projects (RQ3)

The success factors of SUR have often attracted interest from researchers and practitioners. The research methods include deriving success criteria from literature reviews and project analyses. Thus, the evaluation of the factors is observed to have changed [43]. The critical success factor (CSF)-based approaches, which provide the tools necessary to guarantee the success of their projects, appear to be mostly used in the associated literature [44,45]. It is incumbent upon decision makers to ensure that they have sufficient information at their disposal to enable them to assess the success of activities pertaining to each domain. The success of SUR is contingent upon the establishment of a collaborative framework that encompasses the participation of the government, developers, and the public [11].

A successful SUR project mostly seems to require a holistic approach that considers economic, social, physical, and environmental factors [46]. It has been observed that climate change can increase the risk of drought, flood, and landslide in urban areas by affecting temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns, and it has been addressed both conceptually and as case studies in the literature [45,47,48]. To overcome these challenges, urban regeneration projects need comprehensive planning that takes a knowledgeable approach to climate change and also includes community participation, economic sustainability, environmental protection, cultural preservation, good governance, continuous monitoring, social infrastructure, accessible transport, market responsiveness, and the use of innovation and technology. Each of these is an element that one or more stakeholders manage, and there is a gap in the literature regarding how to manage them. Given its strong connection to RQ6, which focuses on enhancing SUR performance, Section 4.3 presents comprehensive recommendations to address these issues effectively.

Collaboration between stakeholders, including the community, government, developers, academics, and professionals, is critical to achieving a shared vision and establishing long-term relationships for SUR. Regeneration, as a natural process of urban development, aims to preserve the authenticity of historic districts while introducing innovative architectural and functional solutions to stimulate economic and social growth, ultimately improving the quality of life for people [49,50,51].

The success factors [52,53,54,55,56] that have been identified as relevant to our goals and objectives are as follows:

• Establishing an effective organisational structure at the right time is crucial;
• Effective communication and information exchange is essential for projects with several stakeholders and organisations;
• Performance management involves monitoring and controlling progress towards goals at each phase;
• Balancing public and private interests;
• Stakeholder cooperation in the project;
• Standardisation of decision-making processes;
• Legal and administrative services can be optimised;
• Conflicts between stakeholders are kept to a minimum.

The principal areas of focus within the domain of SUR include the assessment of sustainability, the conservation of heritage, the facilitation of stakeholder collaboration, the engagement of the public, the preservation of cultural and heritage assets, and the redevelopment of housing [57,58]. The key concepts that underpin SUR and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development are social improvement, meeting citizens’ needs, environmental protection, the use of natural resources, the creation of employment opportunities, and the pursuit of steady economic growth. The associated literature often stresses three fundamental objectives or ‘3Es’ (equity, economy, and environment) of SUR. This approach is intended to inform the formulation of policies and strategies for private and public organisations and other institutions [59]. The SUR approach is a successful decision-making strategy prioritising inclusivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. The approach involves redeveloping areas with a view to creating long-term impacts, taking into account social, economic, and environmental aspects. This perspective, which is valid for a long period of time, covers all three of the pillars of sustainability that form the basis of the discussions. This is also understood to be related to environmental changes, as climate change is a factor that will increasingly influence our decision making in many of our decisions, not only now but for many years to come. The concept of urban regeneration has been regarded as a means of achieving sustainable development. This approach has been exemplified in projects that have been designed with a long-term perspective, with the objective of enhancing the well-being of citizens and the city as a whole. These projects are guided by the principles of sustainability, which inform the regeneration of urban areas [60].

4.4. The Strategic Dimensions of Sustainable Urban Regeneration (RQ4)

The strategic dimensions of urban regeneration projects are limited to the critical aspects that provide guidance for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of such projects, with the objective of ensuring sustainable outcomes. These dimensions offer a framework for balancing the various social, economic, and environmental objectives. It has been asserted that the majority of SUR projects frequently give rise to a range of adverse consequences, including environmental degradation, social displacement, cultural erosion, economic risks, and governance conflicts [61]. The following measures seem to help address these challenges: implementing sustainable design principles, ensuring fair stakeholder participation, preserving cultural heritage, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and promoting transparent and collaborative governance. Regenerative city transformations are effective strategies for revitalising cities and urban areas. However, it is important to note that gentrification, which leads to displacement, is a negative consequence of urban regeneration in communities [62].

Many recent studies have outlined various physical, economic, and socio-technical barriers to assessing the effectiveness of sustainable SUR project efforts using the existing evaluation methods [31,63,64,65,66,67,68]. Urban regeneration has evolved from simply updating old infrastructure and land to restructuring the urban fabric, revitalising the economy, and enhancing the city’s overall image. Its aims include promoting social interaction and equity and integrating the local population in a multifunctional context [69,70].

UR aims to address the complex dynamics of urban areas. To address the risk stemming from this complexity, it is assumed that different multidimensional approaches will be used based on the fundamental principles identified below:

• The strategy is tailored to each location, taking into account the unique obstacles encountered in urban areas, with the aim of minimising inequalities as part of an overarching goal to establish a more consistent social landscape [71,72];
• The strategy spans different time frames, addressing current social needs while focusing on long-term sustainability and predicting future changes [73];
• Urban regeneration should involve various public and private stakeholders and aim to resolve conflicts through negotiation and prioritising objectives aligned with national policies and local strategies [74];
• The implementation of urban regeneration strategies in a specific area can lead to positive spillover effects that impact nearby sectors, such as improved infrastructure, increased property values, and enhanced community development [75,76].

According to Parkinson (1996), the European Commission identified four essential features of the reformed policy when it revised its Structural Funds in 1988. These were adding value, being partnership-based, being targeted, and integrating different policy instruments and approaches [77].

4.5. Stakeholder Assessments (RQ5)

UR is an inherently controversial societal issue that substantially impacts people’s daily lives. Stakeholders, including government, developers, and people, aim for optimal urban regeneration outcomes. Conflicting interests among stakeholders might negatively impact project success [71]. Stakeholder analysis (SA) is a decision-making tool that identifies crucial actors and assesses their interests in a system. In urban development projects, it is crucial to identify and analyse the interests of all stakeholders to avoid conflicts and better meet their needs. SA involves classifying stakeholder groups based on their interventions and decision-making criteria. Stakeholders can be divided into five categories: bureaucratic stakeholders, political stakeholders, experts, special interest groups, and general interest groups [78]. A fundamental aspect of stakeholder management is the undertaking of a comprehensive SA, which is typically conducted subsequent to the initial phase of identifying stakeholders. A variety of methodologies may be employed in the undertaking of an SA. These include using power or interest matrices, the stakeholder salience model, the stakeholder circle, and social network analysis (SNA). Each of these methodologies serves a distinct function [7]. Urban regeneration–SA involves identifying and mapping primary, secondary, and external stakeholders, assessing their interests and influence using tools like the power–interest grid, engaging them through consultation, customised communication, and conflict resolution strategies, and continually monitoring and evaluating their impact on the project to ensure balanced outcomes and long-term sustainability [79].

Table 5. Stakeholder interests and impact assessments.

Stakeholders	Interest	Concerns	Role	Impact
Local government	Economic development [9,80], infrastructure improvement [81,82], social welfare [10].	Budget constraints, long-term maintenance.	Project approval, funding, and policy making.	High—directly involved in planning and funding.
Residents	Improved living conditions [83], job opportunities [19,84], and social amenities [85].	Displacement, gentrification, and loss of community.	Providing feedback and participating in consultations.	High—affected by changes in housing, services.
Business	Higher property values [86] and economic growth [87,88].	Disruption during construction, increased rents.	Investing in the local economy and providing jobs.	Medium—benefit from increased economic activity.
Community groups	Social equity [10], environmental sustainability [89], cultural preservation [10,90,91].	Marginalisation of vulnerable groups, environmental degradation.	Advocacy, mobilisation.	High—represent interests of marginalised groups.
Developer/ Investors	Profit [84,92], development [86,93].	Regulatory hurdles, project delays, market risks.	Financing construction.	Medium—profit-driven.

clearly presents key aspects of stakeholder assessments and considers all major stakeholders whose interests were gathered from the literature. Then, the concerns, roles, and impacts are identified for each stakeholder. As seen, each stakeholder has a unique concern, role, and impact.

5. Discussion

5.1. Goals and Objectives for SUR Projects

The projects involve making tough decisions about goals and considering the future of residents, local activities, and the built environment. Brownfield sites may also need decontamination and remediation, increasing the cost of urban regeneration compared to developing fresh land outside the city [77]. As deduced from all the literature reviews, the principal aims of an SUR should be as follows:

• The promotion of the restoration of intricate urban structures that emphasise the enhancement of the overall environment and quality of life for the city’s residents [31,36,38,49,50];
• The preservation of the distinctive character of selected areas [39,51,58,60];
• The effective management and reversal of the decline of specific urban zones, mainly residential and commercial areas [43,53,56];
• The restructuring of economic activities situated within the urban area to foster sustainable development [29,30,49,62,80,88].

The key objectives of these projects are to define specific outcomes that can be measured, that involve all relevant stakeholders, that set up continuous monitoring processes, and that create strategies that can be expanded and duplicated. These goals are crucial for guiding the planning, execution, and assessment of initiatives aimed at revitalising urban areas to ensure that they positively impact the redevelopment and sustainable growth of urban areas [94].

5.2. Developing an Urban Regeneration Strategy

It is recommended that the strategy be accompanied by a comprehensive summary of its principal characteristics, including a detailed account of the specific planning actions, a thorough exposition of the financing system details, and a delineation of the organisational structures involved. These elements represent the practical outcomes of translating the initial goals and objectives into a comprehensive strategy. It is of the utmost importance to define a strategy as a meticulously organised and synchronised system of actions arranged in geographical and temporal sequences, with the collective aim of achieving the desired results.

Implementing a strategic vision offers valuable insights that can inform future endeavours. (1) It is essential to recognise the intricacies involved in developing a resource management approach aligned with a strategic vision. (2) It is imperative to encourage comprehensive involvement from many perspectives, both from the grassroots level and from the upper echelons of authority, to establish objectives, develop a vision, procure the requisite resources, and oversee the implementation process. (3) It is crucial to establish a self-sustaining system for strategic vision and management. The system must be flexible and able to adjust policies as needed. (4) Once a strategic vision has been agreed upon, ensuring that the implementation process is aligned with the agreed objectives is of utmost importance. (5) It is also crucial to implement a system of regular monitoring, evaluation, and the wide dissemination of information regarding the strategy’s progress. (6) The strategic planning process enables communities to identify and recognise their assets in the context of the local, regional, national, and global environment. This external focus encourages collaboration between various individuals and organisations from the private, public, community, and voluntary sectors.

5.3. Challenges and Solutions

A variety of activities, such as planning, implementation, decision making, and operational management, appear to be involved. Furthermore, the involvement of stakeholders contributes to the complexity and presents additional challenges. Stakeholders have diverse expectations and preferences regarding urban regeneration, which can lead to conflicts due to varying social, economic, and environmental concerns. Conflicts between stakeholders cause a large number of socio-economic problems. For example, uneven distribution of benefits can have an adverse effect on the interests of disadvantaged groups and exacerbate social exclusion, while violent evictions can cause displacement and social unrest. These adverse effects hinder the sustainable development of urban regeneration [95].

Regeneration projects are vital for revitalising areas that have suffered from economic decline, social problems, or environmental degradation. However, these efforts often face significant hurdles. Financial constraints, such as a lack of funding and uncertainty about the return on investment, can impede progress. Social factors, such as gentrification and lack of community engagement, can lead to displacement and resistance from residents. Environmental concerns, such as sustainability and infrastructure pressures, must be carefully addressed to balance development and environmental preservation. Cultural concerns, such as preserving history and integrating diverse communities, require careful planning and inclusive responses. Political and regulatory barriers, such as bureaucratic delays and policy inconsistencies, can confuse and hinder growth. In addition, the technological complexity of these projects requires skilled management and state-of-the-art tools to overcome unexpected challenges [28]. Addressing these issues through strategic planning, innovative funding, community involvement, and sustainable practices is crucial for successful urban revitalisation projects that aim to improve metropolitan areas and people’s quality of life.

In summary, a number of challenges have been outlined, and potential solutions have been identified, as it is the aim of this study to improve the performance of urban regeneration projects. The challenges and proposed solutions are as follows:

Gentrification: A major social challenge identified is the displacement of original residents due to rising property values and living costs, which is often called gentrification [96]. This phenomenon can undermine the social fabric of communities, leading to a loss of cultural identity and increased social inequality.

Solution: To offset the effects of gentrification, implement inclusive development regulations prioritising affordable housing and community engagement. Ensuring that regeneration initiatives include provisions for affordable housing and the protection of local businesses helps to preserve the diversity and cultural identity of the area, reducing the risk of displacement [62].

Economic viability: Urban regeneration projects often struggle to secure adequate funding and maintain long-term economic viability [97]. Projects that fail to achieve financial sustainability may result in unfinished or abandoned developments.

Solution: To address this, mixed-use development strategies that combine residential, commercial, and recreational space can enhance economic resilience. Public–private partnerships (PPPs) and the use of alternative financing mechanisms, such as tax increment financing (TIF), can also provide the necessary capital while sharing the financial risk [98].

Environmental sustainability: Ensuring the environmental sustainability of urban regeneration projects is becoming increasingly complex, particularly in terms of pollution, waste management, and energy efficiency [99].

Solution: Incorporating green infrastructure, promoting the use of renewable energy, and adopting sustainable building practices are essential to minimise environmental impacts. Urban regeneration initiatives that integrate these practices can lead to more sustainable and resilient urban environments.

Cultural preservation: Balancing modernisation with heritage conservation is a common challenge. Urban regeneration can sometimes result in the elimination of historical and cultural sites, eroding local cultural identity.

Solution: Conducting detailed cultural impact assessments and involving local people in planning can help protect cultural assets. Regeneration projects that respect and incorporate cultural assets and traditions into the new urban fabric enhance the distinctive identity of the area and generate community pride. The criteria and indicators for assessing sustainable performance in urban regeneration projects can only be identified if economic initiatives support cultural presentation [100].

The success of urban regeneration is contingent upon a number of factors, including the efficacy of implemented policies, the clarity of property rights, the proficiency of professional skills, the transfer of rights, and the availability of adequate financing. These elements entail interactions between a multitude of stakeholders, including developers, landowners, and government representatives [11].

Aside from the current challenges, four important topics were revealed to be the primary challenges of future urban regeneration projects:

• It is imperative to address the interrelated issues of economic development and social justice through the design and implementation of comprehensive approaches that optimise and secure economic progress while reducing the incidence of social exclusion. This underscores the necessity to collaborate with and alongside communities to determine their future, rather than imposing externally devised, one-size-fits-all solutions. This might be particularly significant in the context of the need to rebalance the spatial economy.
• Ensuring the establishment of a long-term and integrated strategic perspective for urban regeneration policy development is crucial. Introducing clear pathways and processes is vital to effectively implement these strategies. This approach will contribute to the sustainable transformation and enhancement of urban areas.
• To advance the skills and knowledge required for regeneration, it is essential to elevate the standards of education, provide comprehensive training programs, support professional development initiatives, conduct extensive research, and effectively disseminate the results.
• The integration of sustainable development principles, especially those outlined in a framework that focuses on creating environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically resilient communities, marks a substantial advancement towards promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

5.4. Importance of Monitoring and Evaluation

Given the inherent complexity and duration of urban regeneration interventions, ensuring the flexibility to address potential uncertainties and challenges is imperative. Consequently, any SUR project must incorporate a monitoring and assessment mechanism. The two components are inextricably linked, providing data that inform the decision-making processes. They serve two complementary functions: an account of the existing situation and an evaluation of its achievements (successes and shortcomings). The evaluation should include the following elements:

Monitoring: This phase involves thoroughly documenting the essential attributes of the urban environment in which the SUR project is being carried out. The description should encompass the area’s environmental, economic, and social characteristics and functions, shedding light on its challenges and opportunities.

Evaluation: This stage entails a comprehensive assessment of the degree to which the objectives and goals have been accomplished. The evaluation process encompasses two vital elements. The first step involves determining the strategy’s ongoing validity and focusing on whether the goals and objectives continue to represent desirable outcomes. The second step involves gauging the progress made in achieving these goals and assessing whether the anticipated outcomes have been fulfilled.

5.5. Project Sustainability

To secure the long-term success of urban regeneration projects, it is essential to provide comprehensive and continual training for personnel involved in architecture, urban planning, and community development. This training should encompass best practices, innovative techniques, and the latest trends in sustainable urban development. Furthermore, it is crucial to facilitate the availability of specialised expertise by partnering with academic institutions, industry experts, and professional organisations.

On the other hand, it would be advantageous to engage with international stakeholders and seek their involvement and support. Collaborating with global partners, such as international development organisations, architectural firms, and urban planning experts, can bring diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and financial resources. This international engagement can foster cross-border knowledge exchange, promote cultural diversity, and open doors to funding opportunities from international sources.

It is observed that it is important to ensure significantly stronger engagement and involvement of the local commercial sector, enhanced and institutionalised community participation, and better coordination between agencies and stakeholders.

Figure 5 depicts the complex path to the achievement of SUR. For an urban regeneration project to be considered successful, it must first be analysed in detail. This analysis should include three main elements (historical, contemporary, and prospective contexts) and two subsidiary elements (planning issues and stakeholders). For instance, when aiming for urban regeneration with a modern aesthetic, it is important to preserve the historical texture of the project area, spanning from the past to the present. Similarly, in the urban transformation of the historical areas, modernisation should be pursued without disrupting the integrity of these structures. Many buildings need retrofitting to improve energy consumption and strengthen infrastructure, such as internet and pipeline systems, to meet modern public needs properly. All of the aforementioned elements should work together in harmony with the planners and stakeholders, as this results in a dramatic performance increase in urban regeneration projects [101]. Stakeholders and planners should find a common way to meet the desired target at the end of the project, as many cases show proof of how important their negation is [102,103,104]. Poor SUR management between stakeholders often leads to miscommunication, delays, and disputes [105,106]. For the success of the project, it is essential that the general contractor and nearly all stakeholders communicate their requests and demands clearly. Additionally, joint action should be taken to address any changes in the project process.

All actions should be considered during the planning section to mitigate the climate change impact. A project, as it is defined, can be any temporary endeavour with a definite beginning and end. SUR projects cover a time frame that may experience different climate scenarios (see Section 3.3). Planners should inform stakeholders of the relevant potential mitigations for climate impacts and carry out appropriate engineering studies accordingly, taking into account project timescales. It is indicated that urban transformation projects typically take longer to complete than other construction projects [43].

Climate change poses significant challenges for urban areas, which is evident in extreme weather events, heat island effects, flooding risks, infrastructure strain, and public health concerns. These impacts likely highlight the urgent need to incorporate climate change adaptation into urban planning and regeneration efforts. This integration requires embedding resilience measures into development strategies, which influence land use, zoning, and infrastructure design. Additionally, adaptation efforts shape the evaluation of urban regeneration projects by considering historical vulnerabilities, current climate responses, and preparedness for future scenarios.

Over time, it is essential to assess whether there have been changes in the predictions related to climate variability. If new significant data emerge, we may recommend revising the relevant projects accordingly. On the other hand, it has been revealed that climate change will affect not only building construction and the units used, but also the urban transportation structure [107,108]. It is crucial for transportation systems and buildings to be resilient against the impacts of climate change in the future. Furthermore, the process should include a list of possible scenarios and development strategies and should always have a plan B (including the evaluation of policies, structures, and approaches).

Figure 5 illustrates that climate change adaptation must be integrated into SUR strategies, as indicated by the dotted line representing its connection (if necessary) to solutions. Climate change adaptation strategies should be considered at the design stage as essential, and at the last stage before implementation as a verification element. Effective implementation involves incorporating climate resilience into planning through updated building codes, green infrastructure, and adaptable public spaces. Strategy development should include risk assessments, community involvement, and flexible management [109]. Specific measures, such as resilience structures, permeable surfaces, urban forestry, and heat-resistant designs, exemplify the necessary approach to creating sustainable and resilient urban environments [110,111]. This comprehensive approach ensures that urban regeneration not only addresses current challenges but also anticipates future ones.

6. Limitation

This review presents a thorough overview of the factors influencing the success of sustainable urban regeneration (SUR) projects; however, it does not incorporate a meta-analysis. The absence of a quantitative synthesis limits our ability to aggregate and statistically validate the findings across the studies reviewed. As a result, the conclusions drawn here are based on a qualitative analysis of existing literature, which may introduce potential biases stemming from differing methodologies, sample sizes, and the contexts of the studies examined.

A meta-analysis could have enhanced these findings by identifying overall effect sizes and exploring variability among different studies, thereby offering a clearer understanding of the most significant factors in SUR projects. Future research should prioritise conducting a meta-analysis to provide a more statistically rigorous evaluation of performance indicators and strategies for SUR projects, ultimately improving the reliability and applicability of findings for policymakers and practitioners.

7. Conclusions

This systematic literature review suggests that the performance of SUR projects is linked to significant social, economic, environmental, cultural, and physical impacts. Socially, initiatives prioritising community engagement and inclusion appear to improve social cohesion and quality of life, but difficulties such as gentrification and displacement persist. In general, the term “social impact” in this study was used to describe changes that can affect various aspects of an individual’s life, including their lifestyle, health and well-being, personal and property rights, culture, the environment, communities, political systems, and even fears and aspirations. The participation of local people, civil society organisations, and experts must be ensured in urban transformation processes. Implementing participatory planning processes will facilitate the realisation of projects that are more aligned with the needs of society, thereby preventing the potential for social tensions. Economically, initiatives often stimulate job development and local economic regeneration, but rising property values can lead to affordability issues. Innovative financing models might be developed to ensure the sustainability of urban regeneration projects. Public–private sector cooperation models, international financing sources, and financial support mechanisms of local governments can play a pivotal role in realising such projects. Environmentally, the effectiveness of regeneration is closely linked to sustainable design and environmental remediation, which contribute to long-term environmental benefits. Also, the performance is deduced to be related to whether a proper climate change adaptation exists. Physically, successful initiatives often involve updating transit networks, improving pedestrian routes, and increasing the availability of green areas, all of which contribute to a more accessible and liveable urban environment. Culturally, these projects can preserve heritage, develop cultural identity, and encourage community participation. But they can also lead to cultural gentrification. The success of urban regeneration depends on balancing different interests, ensuring long-term sustainability, and minimising the risks of gentrification for the benefit of all stakeholders. The paper also discussed performance evaluation problems, such as the lack of defined measures, the need for longitudinal research, and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for thorough assessment.

Future research should concentrate on specific areas to evaluate urban regeneration projects, focusing on long-term outcomes.

Table 6. Future research directions in assessing the performance of urban regeneration projects.

Research Area	Future Directions
Holistic impact assessment	Develop integrated assessment models; explore long-term and unintended impacts
Social equity and inclusion	Investigate social equity, inclusivity, and the role of community participation
Cultural heritage	Balance modernisation with cultural preservation; investigate the effects on identity and tourism
Sustainability	Research green infrastructure integration and contribution to sustainability goals
Economic Revitalisation	Assess long-term economic benefits and the role of public–private partnerships
Governance and policy	Examine how governance structures, laws, and regulations affect project success
Technology	Explore smart technologies and digital tools for enhancing project performance
Success metrics	Develop standardised metrics; study challenges in data collection and analysis
Resilience and adaptation	Research contributions to urban resilience and adaptive strategies for project longevity.

provides a systematic summary of these critical areas where further research could improve the understanding and effectiveness of urban regeneration initiatives. Each approach represents a potential avenue for improving the field and filling the existing gaps in the literature.

Predicting outcomes in the face of future uncertainties can lead to significantly different results. To address this, two potential solutions are proposed: first, adapt current strategies to consistently achieve favourable results regardless of future developments, and second, develop flexible methodologies that account for the potential impacts of various future scenarios. Unfortunately, no relevant sources were found to provide direct insights into these issues for this study. Nevertheless, certain conclusions were drawn from the publications presented in Table 4. Three key features were understood to be crucial for future urban regeneration practices:

• The preceding section highlighted four critical issues that need to be addressed. These include the necessity for a comprehensive approach that encompasses economic and social concerns, the requirement for a long-term integrated strategic perspective, the enhancement of skills and knowledge, and the incorporation of sustainable development objectives. It is imperative to recognise that these issues will significantly influence the nature, content, and structure of urban regeneration theory and practice.
• The urban regeneration strategy will be carefully delineated at the city region level, taking into account the unique characteristics and requirements of each area. This comprehensive approach will enable the effective distribution of benefits to the intended beneficiaries while also fostering a balanced portfolio approach to regeneration. In addition, it will focus on the strategic development of infrastructure to support sustainable growth and the integrated treatment of both urban and non-urban issues, ensuring a cohesive and inclusive approach to regeneration.
• The continuous evolution of partnerships and community engagement represents a pivotal aspect of the advancement of urban governance. This encompasses the enhancement of institutional frameworks for resource mobilisation, the incorporation of community input, and the implementation of rigorous accountability measures [112]. Together, these themes represent a new agenda for urban regeneration, drawing from past lessons.

In summary, this paper reviews popular research issues regarding the performance of urban regeneration projects. The review encompasses a large number of selected papers and discusses the impacts of urban regeneration, key performance indicators, and the factors contributing to sustainable development. This study’s systematic literature review provides a comprehensive assessment of urban regeneration projects, focusing on their performance in terms of social, cultural, economic, environmental, and physical factors. The findings highlight the complexity and multifaceted nature of urban regeneration, where success depends on the integration of multiple factors, such as stakeholder involvement, policy orientation, and context-specific methodologies. Furthermore, the absence of pertinent research and the limitations of the existing research are clearly delineated.