Sustainable urban development: A review on urban carrying capacity assessment

• Summarizing relevant literature on urban carrying capacity (UCC).
• Clearly defining the underling meaning, components, and relevance of UCC.
• Comparing the pros and cons of related methods for UCC assessment methods.
• The article draws a road map for studies on UCC.
• This paper points out the knowledge gaps and practical ways to improve UCC.

Urban carrying capacity (UCC) concept is an important barometer and yardstick of sustainable urban development. There are a substantial number of studies dedicated to the broadest sense of the carrying capacity concept, and a plethora of underlying theories and evaluation methods have been reported. However, UCC, i.e. study at the urban setting, is a largely different research theme due to the varied meanings, principles, emphasis, and implications. Studies focused on UCC are still in its nascent period, existing in a limited volume of literature, a loosely knitted theoretical basis, with a lack of credible assessment methods and limited applications. Against this background, this research is aimed at analyzing and summarizing related studies on UCC. Through an extensive literature review, this paper integrates the existing concepts of UCC, reviews current research status, compares the pros and cons of related research methods, summarize knowledge gaps, and makes suggestions for planners and urban managers to ameliorate UCC. It contributes to a better understanding of the UCC concept. The research findings will inspire researchers to advance from the current status, and also provide clues to city managers and urban planners for developing appropriate strategies and actions to improve urban planning and management.