A Study on Psychospatial Perception of a Sustainable Urban Node: Semantic–Spatial Mapping of User-Generated Place Cognition at Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan

Reducing reliance on private vehicles, optimizing public spaces, and adopting low-carbon, energy-efficient practices are essential strategies for advancing sustainable urban development. This study investigates user perceptions and spatial experiences at Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan, by analyzing online reviews collected over 1 year. The results indicate that: (1) Using TF–IDF vectorization and K-means clustering (K = 5), five major semantic themes were identified, and a chi-square test (χ2(16) = 632.00, p < 0.001) confirmed their strong correspondence with the station’s five functional zones. This revealed a cognitive mapping effect between users’ semantic structures and spatial functions. (2) Six environmental psychology indicators—Wayfinding Usability, Crowding Density, Seating and Rest Availability, Functional Convenience, Environmental Quality, and Information Legibility—were established. Logistic regression showed that only Functional Convenience significantly predicted positive sentiment (OR = 31.6, p = 0.05), underscoring the emotional influence of smooth circulation and well-integrated commercial facilities. (3) Process-intensive areas exhibited emotional accumulation and cognitive strain, while restorative zones reduced mental fatigue; moderate spatial concealment enhanced exploration, and a shared social atmosphere fostered belongingness. The findings elucidate the psychological correspondence between semantic structures and spatial functions, providing user-centered indicators for urban node design that promote comfort, accessibility, and urban sustainability.