Objective The evolution of urban community governance in China has progressed through three distinct historical phases: the danwei (work unit) system under planned economy, the neighborhood committee system during market reform, and the current community-based governance model. These institutional transformations have fundamentally reshaped social relationship patterns, eroding traditional kinship-based connections and resulting in fragmented community networks and a continuous decline in residents’ sense of belonging. In recent years, urban renewal strategies have shifted from singular focus on physical space renovation to integrated approaches that actively cultivate social capital − the collective assets embedded in social networks, mutual trust, and shared behavioral norms. Across Chinese cities, green space development initiatives (particularly community gardens and urban agriculture programs) are increasingly positioned as dual-purpose interventions that bridge physical environment improvement with social relationship reconstruction, often serving as neutral grounds for conflict resolution and collective identity formation. While these projects demonstrate potential in enhancing community cohesion and resident well-being, persistent challenges exist regarding sustainable operation funding models, quantifiable social outcomes, and equitable access across socioeconomic groups. Under China’s precision governance paradigm emphasizing data-driven policymaking, this study systematically investigates the operational mechanisms through which community green spaces inspire social capital, incorporating both grassroots practices and institutional innovations, ultimately proposing evidence-based optimization strategies for urban regeneration practices.

Methods This research employs a mixed-methods approach combining bibliometric analysis and qualitative synthesis, implemented through three consecutive phases. First, quantitative mapping of research trends was conducted using CiteSpace software, analyzing 63 high-impact articles retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection (2000−2023) through the search strategy combining ("social capital*" OR "social network") AND ("green space*" OR "garden" OR "park"), filtered for English-language peer-reviewed articles and supplemented by manual screening of Chinese-language grey literature. Second, systematic content analysis was performed to identify methodological patterns, academic consensus, and ongoing disciplinary debates, with particular attention to culturally specific factors in East Asian urbanization contexts. Third, an analytical framework was developed focusing on 32 rigorously selected studies that explicitly examine social capital formation mechanisms, categorized through three constitutive elements: social networks, social trust, and social norms. The methodology implemented strict quality controls including exclusion of non-English publications, removal of duplicate entries, and elimination of 31 articles lacking substantive analysis of green space-social capital linkages, ensuring focus on empirically grounded studies with measurable community impacts rather than theoretical discussions. Temporal evolution of research priorities was tracked through keyword co-occurrence analysis and burst detection techniques, revealing disciplinary shifts from environmental science to sociology and urban governance.

Results Geographical distribution analysis reveals concentrated research output from Western countries: United States contributing 22 studies (34.9%), followed by Canada (8), Australia (5), and United Kingdom (4), collectively representing 72% of total publications. Temporal keyword evolution identifies three developmental stages: The early phase (2000-2010) emphasized macro-level urban green infrastructure planning and public health outcomes; the middle phase (2010-2018) shifted focus to micro-level community gardens as mental health interventions and food security solutions; the current phase (post-2018) explores multifunctional green spaces as social capital incubators within precision governance frameworks. Four key findings emerge from cross-study synthesis: 1) Green spaces function as critical social infrastructure where spatial design quality directly influences relationship-building capacity − well-maintained walking paths and visible seating areas increased spontaneous interactions by 41% in Shanghai case studies; 2) Subjective user perceptions of accessibility and safety outweigh physical attributes in determining social outcomes − communities with participatory design processes reported 37% higher trust levels and 29% greater willingness to contribute maintenance labor; 3) Successful projects establish virtuous cycles where social networks reinforce trust, which subsequently shapes shared behavioral norms − Guangzhou communities with co-created garden rules demonstrated 68% higher norm compliance; 4) Academic debates persist regarding spatial boundary effects − whether social capital benefits remain localized or permeate broader urban systems. Empirical data from Chinese cities shows community gardens in Beijing’s high-density neighborhoods reduced elderly isolation rates by 23-37% through structured intergenerational gardening programs, with particularly strong impacts in neighborhoods integrating childcare facilities with senior activity zones.

Conclusions The study delineates three operational pathways for social capital inspiration through green spaces: First, multidimensional network development strengthens bonding ties within demographic groups (elderly walking clubs), builds bridging connections across social divides (intergenerational urban farming cooperatives), and establishes linking partnerships with external institutions that secure long-term resource flows. Second, trust cultivation mechanisms leverage both physical design features and social programming. Third, norm institutionalization processes transform temporary collaborative behaviors into sustained governance protocols − communities adopting digital management platforms maintained 53% higher space utilization rates than those relying on manual systems, though requiring ongoing digital literacy training for elderly residents. For Chinese urban regeneration, three implementation strategies are proposed: 1) Integrated spatial-social programming combining green infrastructure with cultural activities like garden-based heritage festivals that reactivate local traditions; 2) Micro-intervention approaches prioritizing resident-led projects (neighborhood planters) that yield measurable trust-building effects within 6-12-month cycles; 3) Adaptive governance models establishing hybrid digital-physical participation platforms for continuous community input via WeChat mini-programs and offline suggestion boxes. This framework specifically addresses China’s urbanization challenges including high-density living environments, aging populations, and vertical community structures. Future research directions should employ longitudinal studies tracking social capital evolution over 5-10-year cycles and investigate digital tools’ capacity to sustain community engagement amist rapid technological change. By systematically aligning environmental design with social governance objectives, cities can develop green spaces that simultaneously enhance ecological sustainability and strengthen community resilience against urbanization-induced stressors.