Climate neutrality and urban planning: A state of the art from literature and the European cities

In the face of global climate challenges, cities and urban areas are at the forefront of the transformative process, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance urban resilience. Climate neutrality has emerged as a central concept, also adopted by European Commission’s Mission to achieve 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. This study explores its integration into urban planning, as examined in contemporary scientific literature as well as applied in European cities. Our methodology follows a progressively narrowing focus: (i) a bibliometric analysis to explore research trends at the intersection of climate discourse and spatial planning; (ii) a qualitative literature review to identify key planning dimensions, including policies, regulatory tools, and sectoral measures, used to operationalize climate goals; and (iii) a comparative documental analysis of urban strategies adopted in Valencia, Torino, and Amsterdam. Findings show that while climate neutrality is emerging as a guiding principle in urban climate transition, the academic debate remains fragmented and largely theoretical. There is a lack of clear and integrative planning frameworks, and implementation is often constrained by gaps in administrative capacity, funding, and governance. The analysis suggests that combining regulatory and strategic planning approaches is crucial to support cross-sectoral integration, and highlights the potential of green infrastructure to serve as a linking concept across climate, spatial, and social goals.