Evaluation of Emotional Vitality Characteristics in Urban Commercial Complexes Based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method: A Case Study of Five Urban Complexes in Beijing

Aiming at a critical gap in evaluating human-centered spatial quality during urban stock renewal, this study aimed to develop a quantitative methodology to evaluate emotional vitality in urban commercial complexes. Focusing on five representative Beijing complexes selected according to Beijing urban renewal best practices, the research establishes an integrated evaluation framework combining emotional attachment theory with multi-criteria decision-making method. The methodology employs scales to measure emotional attachment, and implements an improved TOPSIS model integrating Entropy Weight and Grey Relational Analysis of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making method for comprehensive assessment. As a result, key findings demonstrate that small-scale built environment features significantly enhance spatial vitality through emotional attachment mechanisms. Material characteristics, including historical material reinterpretation and innovative structural elements, prove fundamental in fostering attachment, while non-material features exhibit dynamic influences that evolve with temporal and contextual factors. The study reveals that successful emotional attachment requires balanced integration of physical and social features, with material characteristics serving as the foundation for sustained emotional vitality. The research contributes an evidence-based evaluation system that bridges theoretical constructs from environmental psychology with practical urban design applications. By objectively quantifying emotional attachment and identifying specific spatial features that enhance these emotional experience, this methodology provides valuable tools for urban designers, planners, and governors seeking to create more engaging and humanized commercial environments. The framework further offers scientific support for decision-making in urban renewal projects and establishes a replicable approach for vibrant urban space evaluation.