Urban governance and quality of life: a systematic mapping review with bibliometric analysis

• Pazos-García, María J. ^[1] ; López-López, Vicente ^[1] ; Vila-Vázquez, Guadalupe ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

     Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

     Santiago de Compostela, España

     
• Localización: European Journal of Government and Economics, ISSN-e 2254-7088, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2026, págs. 194-219
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.17979/ejge.2026.15.1.13257
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Although there are a large number of studies exploring the importance of quality of life (QoL) in cities, there is a significant gap in research linking the impact of urban governance on the QoL of their citizens. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify and examine how the tools available to local governments have a significant impact on our area of study. Using a systematic mapping review with bibliometric analysis, 139 articles published in the last 10 years, from 2015 to 2025, were analyzed. Governance components such as transparency, e-government, responsiveness, rule of law, citizen participation, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency have been analyzed. The results of this research can help city planners prioritize those factors that have the greatest impact on or are most relevant to citizens' QoL.

• Referencias bibliográficas
  • Abu-Alrop, J. H. A. (2025). Comparative evaluation of quality of life indicators: Towards developing a comprehensive standard model for measuring...
  • Aisyah, S., Hidayah, Z., Juniadi, D., Purnomo, E. P., Wibowo, A. M., & Harta, R. (2024). Transforming smart city governance for quality...
  • Al-Azzawi, S. N. (2016). The deterioration of environmental and life quality parameters in Iraq since the 2003 American occupation of Iraq....
  • Alshaikh, R. Z., Shok, M. E., Al-Hussaini, Z. I. H., & Alkinani, A. S. (2024). The impact of digital technologies on urban life quality...
  • Amiraslani, F. (2021). Analysis of quality of life across Tehran districts based on designated indicators and relational database management...
  • Astiaso Garcia, D., Cumo, F., Pennacchia, E., Stefanini Pennucci, V., Piras, G., De Notti, V., & Roversi, R. (2017). Assessment of an...
  • Attar, R. W., Habes, M., Almusharraf, A., Alhazmi, A. H., & Attar, R. W. (2024). Exploring the impact of smart cities on improving the...
  • Audi, M., & Ali, A. (2023). The role of environmental conditions and purchasing power parity in determining quality of life among big...
  • Bakour, A. K., Baouali, R., Mouhoubi, N., & Bounouni, S. (2025). Transportation and urban functions’ planning in the city of Béjaïa, Algeria:...
  • Barreira, A. P., Amado, C., Santos, S., Andraz, J., & Guimarães, M. H. (2021). Assessment and determinants of the quality of life in Portuguese...
  • Belik, I., Starodubets, N., & Alikberova, T. (2017). Assessment of quality of life in cities taking into account ecological and energy...
  • Bhunia, A., Sahoo, A., & Chatterjee, U. (2023). Geostatistical analysis of quality of life (QoL) with particular emphasis on the basic...
  • Biagi, B., Ladu, M. G., & Meleddu, M. (2018). Urban quality of life and capabilities: An experimental study. Ecological Economics, 150,...
  • Bonatti, G., Ivaldi, E., & Soliani, R. (2017). Quality of life in Italian cities: A temporal comparison between before the crisis and...
  • Brodny, J., Tutak, M., & Bindzár, P. (2024). Measuring and assessing the level of living conditions and quality of life in smart sustainable...
  • Bucheli, J. F. (2024). Exploring domains of quality of life with vulnerable young people in Bogotá: A capability approach perspective. Social...
  • Čajková, A., & Ruc, T. (2024). A baby boom in Bratislava: Educational policy and citizens’ quality of life in smart city. Public Policy...
  • Chełstowska, A., Oleksandra, O., & Sosik, K. (2025). The impact of construction logistics and project implementation on urban quality...
  • Chica-Olmo, J., Sánchez, A., & Sepúlveda-Murillo, F. H. (2020). Assessing Colombia’s policy of socio-economic stratification: An intra-city...
  • Cho, Y., & Maeng, J. (2024). Citizens’ perceptions of the smart city distribution strategy and its impact on quality of life: A generational...
  • Činčikaitė, R. (2025). Assessment of the link between urban quality of life and migration flows: The case of Lithuania. Sustainability, 17(10)....
  • Contreras Pinochet, L. H., Souza, C. A. de, Viana, A. B. N., & Rodríguez-Abitia, G. (2024). Smart technologies in supermarket retail and...
  • Cooper, C., Cunningham, N., & Bracken, L. J. (2023). Exploring different framings of nature-based solutions with respect to governance,...
  • Czyża, S., & Kowalczyk, A. M. (2024). Applying GIS in blue-green infrastructure design in urban areas for better life quality and climate...
  • de Guimarães, J. C. F., Severo, E. A., Felix Júnior, L. A., da Costa, W. P. L. B., & Salmoria, F. T. (2020). Governance and quality of...
  • Dekanić, A., & Ježić, Z. (2025). Sustainable waste management as a determinant of quality of life in Croatian island communities. Sustainability,...
  • Dhenge, V., & Nimbarte, G. (2024). Governance, ease of living, and citizens’ perception: Components for quality-of-life assessment in...
  • Di Giulio, A., Sahakian, M., Anantharaman, M., Saloma, C., Khanna, R., Narasimalu, S., & Zhang, D. (2022). How the consumption of green...
  • Díaz-Sánchez, J. P., Lanchimba, C., & Obaco, M. (2025). Well-being and quality of life in Latin American and Caribbean cities. Investigaciones...
  • Dipeolu, A. (2025). Perceived influence of urban green infrastructure on quality of life in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Town and Regional Planning,...
  • Doria, L. (2023). Reading cases of local quality of life assessment as incomplete and socio-politically contentious practices. Quality &...
  • Duan, Y., Mastromartino, B., Zhang, J. J., & Liu, B. (2020). How do perceptions of non-mega sport events impact quality of life and support...
  • Dubová, L., & Macháč, J. (2019). Improving the quality of life in cities using community gardens: From benefits for members to benefits...
  • Durazo, I. A. S., Jiménez, C. P. R., & Romo, R. S. (2025). Competitiveness and urban prosperity in Mexico: Their contribution to quality...
  • Ebraheem, A. K., Almosawi, F. M., & Alkinani, A. S. (2024). The impact of unregulated urban sprawl on public services and quality of life...
  • El Karim, A. A., & Awawdeh, M. M. (2020). Integrating GIS accessibility and location-allocation models with multicriteria decision analysis...
  • Everatt, D. (2017). Quality of life in the Gauteng City-Region, South Africa. Social Indicators Research, 130(1), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-1127-y
  • Fan, Y. (2024). Community identity as an indicator of quality of life: A theoretical model and empirical test. Applied Research in Quality...
  • Floková, L., Hübelová, D., Kozumpliková, A., Caha, J., & Janošíková, L. (2023). Multi-perspective quality of life index for urban development...
  • Forouhar, N., Forouhar, A., & Hasankhani, M. (2021). Land-use change and quality of life in residential neighbourhoods: Evidence from...
  • Frauenfelder, A., Tafferant, N., & Battaglini, M. (2023). A residential area at the gates of the city: Controversies surrounding “quality...
  • Gheitarani, N., El-Sayed, S., Cloutier, S., Budruk, M., Gibbons, L., & Khanian, M. (2020). Investigating the mechanism of place and community...
  • Greyling, T., & Tregenna, F. (2017). Construction and analysis of a composite quality of life index for a region of South Africa. Social...
  • Greyling, T., & Tregenna, F. (2020). Quality of life: Validation of an instrument and analysis of relationships between domains. Development...
  • Halicka, K., & Surel, D. (2022). Smart living technologies in the context of improving the quality of life for older people: The case...
  • Han, J., Lee, S., & Kwon, Y. (2022). Can social capital improve quality-of-life satisfaction for older adults? Focusing on the 2016 quality...
  • Hartley, K. (2023). Public perceptions about smart cities: Governance and quality of life in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 166(3),...
  • Hosseini, A., Finn, B. M., Sajjadi, S. A., & Mosavei, T. (2023). Urban disparities and quality of life among Afghan refugees living in...
  • Huete-Alcocer, N., López-Ruiz, V. R., Alfaro-Navarro, J. L., & Nevado-Peña, D. (2024). The role of environmental, economic, and social...
  • Huynh, V. D. B., Nguyen, Q. L. H. T. T., Nguyen, T. H. M., Nguyen, P. T., & Dang, T. T. N. (2023). Modeling quality of life of Ho Chi...
  • Iglesias-Antelo, S., López-López, V., & Vázquez-Sanmartín, A. (2021). Assessing the influence of strategic resources on the quality of...
  • Jimmy, E. N., Martinez, J., & Verplanke, J. (2020). Spatial patterns of residential fragmentation and quality of life in Nairobi City,...
  • Jonek-Kowalska, I. (2022). Housing infrastructure as a determinant of quality of life in selected Polish smart cities. Smart Cities, 5(3),...
  • Jonek-Kowalska, I. (2025). Perceptions of quality of life among various groups of residents in cities aspiring to be smart in a developing...
  • Kabisch, S. (2019). Urban transformations to pursue sustainability through resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience: A conceptual...
  • Katumba, S., de Kadt, J., Orkin, M., & Fatti, P. (2022). Construction of a reflective quality of life index for Gauteng Province in South...
  • Khan, A. N. (2024). Unexpected ally: Can social exclusion boost quality of life through green choices? Social Indicators Research, 175(1),...
  • Kirchhof, A. M. (2015). “For a decent quality of life”: Environmental groups in East and West Berlin. Journal of Urban History, 41(4), 625–646....
  • Klingmann, A. (2023). Rescripting Riyadh: How the capital of Saudi Arabia employs urban megaprojects as catalysts to enhance the quality of...
  • Ko, M. C., & Choi, S. O. (2015). The effects of community quality of life on local policy decisions. Applied Research in Quality of Life,...
  • Kokchang, P., Zhao, Y., & Kittipongvises, S. (2023). Understanding citizens’ perceptions and attitudes toward energy restructuring under...
  • Książek, S., Belof, M., Maleszka, W., Gmur, K., Kukuła, M., Knippschild, R., Battis-Schinker, E., Knoop, B., & Al-Alawi, S. (2022). Using...
  • Kuentz-Simonet, V., Rambonilaza, T., & Lyser, S. (2023). Assessing the multidimensional structuring of quality of life: Evidence from...
  • Kusterka-Jefmańska, M., Roszkowska, E., & Jefmański, B. (2024). The intuitionistic fuzzy synthetic measure in a dynamic analysis of the...
  • Lau, L. K. P., Lai, W. C. L., & Ho, C. W. D. (2018). Quality of life in a “high-rise lawless slum”: A study of the “Kowloon Walled City.”...
  • Li, C. L. (2020). Quality of life: The perspective of urban park recreation in three Asian cities. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism,...
  • Li, L., Zhong, S., Guo, F., Guo, X., & Guo, X. (2021). Paying for the quality of life: The impacts of urban livability on CEO compensation....
  • Li, X., & Tilt, B. (2018). Perceptions of quality of life and pollution among China’s urban middle class: The case of smog in Tangshan....
  • Ligarski, M. J., & Owczarek, T. (2023). How cities study quality of life and use this information: Results of an empirical study. Sustainability,...
  • Ligarski, M. J., & Owczarek, T. (2024). Preparing quality of life surveys versus using information for sustainable development: The example...
  • Liu, Y. D. (2016). Event and quality of life: A case study of Liverpool as the 2008 European Capital of Culture. Applied Research in Quality...
  • Liu, Y. D. (2017). Quality of life as event legacy: An evaluation of Liverpool as the 2008 European Capital of Culture. Applied Research in...
  • Ma, D., & Ma, Y. (2025). The impact of the digital economy on quality of life: Empirical evidence from 220 cities in China. Digital Policy,...
  • Magno, F., & Dossena, G. (2020). Pride of being part of a host community? Medium-term effects of mega-events on citizen quality of life:...
  • Mahlakanya, I., & Willemse, L. (2017). The changes in the quality of life of rented free-standing and backyard shack and backyard room...
  • Marans, R. W. (2015). Quality of urban life and environmental sustainability studies: Future linkage opportunities. Habitat International,...
  • Martín, J. C., & Viñán, C. S. (2017). Fuzzy logic methods to evaluate the quality of life in the regions of Ecuador. Quality Innovation...
  • Martinez, J. (2019). Mapping dynamic indicators of quality of life: A case in Rosario, Argentina. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 14(3),...
  • Metheny, N., Dusing, G. J., Ndagurwa, P., & Mkhize, S. P. (2025). Disparities in quality of life by race, gender, and sexual orientation:...
  • Mihalič, T., & Kuščer, K. (2022). Can overtourism be managed? Destination management factors affecting residents’ irritation and quality...
  • Mirzakhani, A., Turró, M., & Behzadfar, M. (2022). Exploring quality-of-life satisfaction in the historical fabrics of Iran through machine...
  • Morris, E. A. (2019). Do cities or suburbs offer higher quality of life? Intrametropolitan location, activity patterns, access, and subjective...
  • Mouratidis, K. (2021a). How COVID-19 reshaped quality of life in cities: A synthesis and implications for urban planning. Land Use Policy,...
  • Mouratidis, K. (2021b). Urban planning and quality of life: A review of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being. Cities,...
  • Mouratidis, K. (2025). Transport and quality of life: The car and its link to subjective well-being, health, and life domains. Transport Policy,...
  • Mousazadeh, H. A. (2022). Investigating sense of place attitudes toward quality of life in urban communities nearby the river, Folia Geographica,...
  • Mousazadeh, H., Ghorbani, A., Azadi, H., Almani, F. A., Mosazadeh, H., Zhu, K., & Dávid, L. D. (2023). Sense of place attitudes on quality...
  • Murgaš, F., & Drápela, E. (2020). Quality of urban life in socially excluded communities of Liberec Region. International Journal of Community...
  • Nakanishi, H. (2015). How does urban policy influence quality of life? The case of Canberra, Australia. Policy Studies, 36(1), 72–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2014.981059
  • Ojo, D. B. (2024). Transnational variation in residents’ quality of life in Nigeria-Benin Republic border communities. GeoJournal, 89(6)....
  • Padrón Nápoles, V. M., Esteban Penelas, J. L., Pizarro Juanas, E., López-Arquillo, J. D., Delgado-Pérez, E., Bellido-Esteban, A., Muñoz Gil,...
  • Pan, S., Zhao, Z., Lim, H. W., Li, N., & Fang, D. (2022). Restored quality of life-based approach (REQUALIFE) for urban seismic resilience...
  • Panzabekova, A., Kireyeva, A. A., Satybadin, A. A., & Sabyr, N. S. (2020). Distribution of ICT and analysis of the digital components...
  • Papachristou, I. A., & Rosas-Casals, M. (2019). Cities and quality of life: Quantitative modeling of the emergence of the happiness field...
  • Patil, G. R., & Sharma, G. (2022). Urban quality of life: An assessment and ranking for Indian cities. Transport Policy, 124, 183–191....
  • Pazhuhan, M., Shahraki, S. Z., Kaveerad, N., Cividino, S., Clemente, M., & Salvati, L. (2020). Factors underlying life quality in urban...
  • Pazos-García, M. J., López-López, V., Iglesias-Antelo, S., & Vila-Vázquez, G. (2025). Quality of life in cities: An outcome and a resource?...
  • Pazos-García, M. J., López-López, V., Vila-Vázquez, G., & González, X. P. (2025). Governance, quality of life and city performance: A...
  • Petrovič, F., & Maturkanič, P. (2022). Urban-rural dichotomy of quality of life. Sustainability, 14(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148658
  • Pietraru, R. N., Martin, D. N., & Olteanu, A. (2025). Contributions to studying the quality of life in inner urban environments through...
  • Popescu, A. I. (2020). Long-term city innovation trajectories and quality of urban life. Sustainability, 12(24), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410587
  • Porio, E. (2015). Sustainable development goals and quality of life targets: Insights from Metro Manila. Current Sociology, 63(2), 244–260....
  • Prayitno, G., Murgaš, F., Hiddlestone-Mumford, J., Subagiyo, A., Fikriyah, Hayat, A., & Siankwilimba, E. (2024). Quality of rural life...
  • Przybyłowski, A. (2019). Global trends shaping life quality in agglomerations with particular emphasis on mobility in seaport agglomerations....
  • Ptak-Wojciechowska, A., Januchta-Szostak, A., Gawlak, A., & Matuszewska, M. (2021). The importance of water and climate-related aspects...
  • Purohit, R., Samuel, F., Brennan, J., Farrelly, L., Golden, S., & McVicar, M. (2024). Improving neighbourhood quality of life through...
  • Rambhoros, M., Neutra, R. R., Cerarols, R., & Pelowski, M. (2025). Operationalising “loveability”: An interdisciplinary approach to enriching...
  • Ramkissoon, H., Nekmahmud, M., & Mavondo, F. T. (2025). Pathways to social and business sustainability: Place attachment, trust in government,...
  • Roslan, S. N. M., Gohain, K., Mustafa, A. M. A. A., Ismail, M. M., & Kumaran, V. V. (2025). Designing affordable urban ecosystems: A quantitative...
  • Roszkowska, E., Wachowicz, T., & Michalska, E. (2025). Sustainable cities and quality of life: A multi-criteria approach for evaluating...
  • Sanchez-Sepulveda, M. V., Navarro, J., Amo-Filva, D., Fonseca, D., Antúnez-Anea, F., & Barranco-Albalat, A. (2024). A data-driven approach...
  • Sepúlveda-Murillo, F. H., Soto-Builes, N. M., Checa-Olivas, M., & Chica-Olmo, J. (2020). Mapping spatial variability of the quality of...
  • Shahraki, S. Z., Hosseini, A., Sauri, D., & Hussaini, F. (2020). Fringe more than context: Perceived quality of life in informal settlements...
  • Shi, Z., Wu, Y., Chiu, Y.-H., Pang, Q., & Zhang, L. (2023). Assessing city sustainable development—Residents’ quality of life from the...
  • Smith, M. K., Chang, S., & Michalkó, G. (2024). Smart living and quality of life: Domains and indicators. Journal of Urban and Regional...
  • Souto-Manning, M., & Melvin, S. A. (2022). Early childhood teachers of color in New York City: Heightened stress, lower quality of life,...
  • Sultana, R., Suhi, K. F. F., Mahboob, M., & Islam, S. M. N. (2022). A multivariate statistical study of Dhaka’s quality of life based...
  • Šulyová, D., & Kubina, M. (2022). Quality of life in the concept of strategic management for smart cities. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia,...
  • Surjono, Fatahillah, E. R., Hasyim, A. W., Anggraeni, M., Jasmine, A. P., & Isdianto, A. (2025). Urban harmony: Integrating spatial suitability...
  • Szaja, M., & Ziemba, P. (2025). Stochastic modelling in multi-criteria evaluation of quality of life—The case of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship...
  • Talmage, C. A., Pijawka, D., & Hagen, B. (2019). Re-examination of quality of life indicators in US-Mexico border cities: A critical review....
  • Tichaawa, T. M., Dayour, F., & Nunkoo, R. (2023). Residents’ trust in government, tourism impacts, and quality of life: Testing a structural...
  • Tjønndal, A., & Nilssen, M. (2019). Innovative sport and leisure approaches to quality of life in the smart city. World Leisure Journal,...
  • Udachan, V., & Patil, S. (2025). Analysis of urban mobility and quality of life: North–South transit-oriented development (TOD) in Bengaluru....
  • Unerbayeva, R., Kozhirova, S., Kenzhegulova, G., Mukatay, A., & Abdykadyr, T. (2025). The role of education, human capital, and quality...
  • United Nations. (2022). Envisaging the future of cities. https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/06/wcr_2022.pdf
  • Vanderleeuw, J. M., & Sides, J. C. (2016). Quality of life amenities as contributors to local economies: Views of city managers. Journal...
  • Wang, M., & Zhou, T. (2023). Does smart city implementation improve subjective quality of life? Evidence from China. Technology in Society,...
  • Weckroth, M., Ala-Mantila, S., Ballas, D., Ziogas, T., & Ikonen, J. (2022). Urbanity, neighbourhood characteristics and perceived quality...
  • Wey, W. M., & Huang, J. Y. (2018). Urban sustainable transportation planning strategies for livable city’s quality of life. Habitat International,...
  • Weziak-Białowolska, D. (2016). Quality of life in cities: Empirical evidence in comparative European perspective. Cities, 58, 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.05.016
  • Wojnarowska, M., Sagan, A., Plichta, J., Plichta, G., Szakiel, J., Turek, P., & Sołtysik, M. (2021). The influence of the methods of measuring...
  • Wolniak, R., & Jonek-Kowalska, I. (2021). The level of quality of life in the city and its monitoring. Innovation: The European Journal...
  • Yazdanpanah Shahabadi, M. R., & Sajadzadeh, H. (2020). Social aspect of quality of urban life: How does social capital affect residents’...
  • Yu, T., Ruhizal, R., Hakimi, A., & Dong, D. (2025). Smart public spaces and elderly care: The role of digital technologies in enhancing...
  • Zeng, W., Xiang, L., & Zhang, W. (2020). Evaluation of life quality and its spatial mismatch with local economic development in large...
  • Zhang, J. (2018). Comparative study of life quality between migrant children and local students in small and medium-sized cities in China....
  • Zhang, J., Liu, R., & Mao, Y. (2024). The coordinated relationship and interactive response between urban quality of life and eco-efficiency...
  • Zhang, X., & Ren, X. (2024). Design dilemma between urban tourism and quality of life: Assessment of livability barriers in different...
  • Zulkifli. S.A., Susanti, S., & Windy Novia, R. (2019). Evaluation of the Aceh provincial government performance on the quality of life...