Science Mapping the Academic Knowledge on Business Improvement Districts

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a contemporary urban revitalization policy that has been set in motion through international policymaking circuits. They have presented as panacea to the economic and social challenges facing many cities traditional shopping districts. However, comprehensive overview of academic literature on this form local governance remains be conducted. Drawing bibliometric methods bibliometrix R-tool, paper maps examines state-of-the-art knowledge BIDs published between 1979 2021. Findings suggest (i) scientific production increased since early 2000s, crossed US borders but highly Anglo-Saxon-centered; (ii) is multidisciplinary high-impact journals; (iii) influential documents centered three issues: governance/politics, mobilities–mutation impacts assessment criticisms; (iv) while author collaboration networks exist, interaction them limited; (v) conceptualization changed over time, both thematic geographical focus. These results constitute first science mapping BIDs, we argue they should inform future debates about studying governance.