A DEA–based efficiency evaluation method for metro-led urban underground public space

• Indicators are built for inputs and outputs of metro-led urban underground public space (UUPS). • A quantitative method of efficiency evaluation of metro-led UUPSs is developed and validated. • Efficiencies of metro-led UUPSs in central Shanghai are measured. • Cruxes of the inefficiencies are analyzed. Despite the thriving development of metro-led urban underground public space (UUPS) and its significant benefits and costs, there remains a critical research gap in understanding and evaluating its efficiency. This paper intends to improve the post-evaluation system of metro-led UUPS by proposing an efficiency evaluation framework based on data envelopment analysis. The public and the private sectors are taken as different coexisting decision-makers, and a pair of linear programming is built accordingly (with different assignments of discretionary and non-discretionary inputs) for each decision-making unit. The directional vector is calculated based on CRITIC weights to model the searching process of referential cases in terms of urban renewal. The empirical study of twenty metro-led UUPSs in central Shanghai reveals that (1) the proposed evaluation framework is feasible and discriminative, (2) the efficient form of metro-led UUPS in Shanghai is mainly limited to a compact pattern with a low proportion of pure public space, (3) the essential solution to promote efficiencies is closer cooperation between different parties, and (4) efficiency evaluation is crucial to avoiding the “the-more-the-better” type of development. The findings of this study are expected to shed light on the future planning and operation of metro-led UUPS.