Mapping Local Governance and Social Dimensions of SDG Localization: A Meta-Analysis of Urban Sustainability Research (2018–2025)

The localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become a crucial dimension of urban sustainability, with local governments increasingly recognized as key agents in shaping socially inclusive and context-sensitive implementation strategies. This review explores how academic literature from 2018 to 2025 has conceptualized and evaluated the intersection of local governance, social evolution, and SDG localization. Drawing on 143 peer-reviewed studies indexed in Web of Science, the research applies a hybrid methodology combining bibliometric mapping (VOSviewer) with qualitative content analysis (NVivo) structured around the UN SDG framework. Four thematic clusters are identified: (i) institutional governance and multi-level coordination; (ii) urban sustainability planning; (iii) performance measurement and accountability; and (iv) social participation and digital innovation. The analysis reveals a growing emphasis on participatory governance, social equity, and performance-based monitoring-especially through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs). However, significant gaps remain, including the limited inclusion of marginalized urban communities and inconsistent attention to SDGs related to gender, equity, and justice. This study contributes a structured, multidimensional synthesis of how local governments engage with SDGs in both theory and practice. It emphasizes the need for soci-ally responsive planning, inclusive indicators, and more critical engagement with the political and ethical implications of data-driven governance. The findings are particularly relevant to scholars and practitioners interested in the social dynamics of urban transformation and the co-production of sustainable futures.