An assessment and collaborative governance of the non-motorized environment potential of commercial TOD based on the improved NPP model

Against the backdrop of high-density urban development, the non-motorized environment around rail transit stations, especially commercial metro station areas, faces numerous spatial injustice issues that undermine not only the core functions of urban commercial services but also their role as windows for showcasing a city's image. Thus, optimizing this environment is crucial. This study, grounded in spatial justice theory, focuses on commercial rail transit station areas in Xi'an and constructs a three-dimensional "Node-Place-Perception" (NPP) evaluation system to address spatial development imbalances and promote station-city integration. Using data from Baidu Maps, Points of Interest (POI), and heatmaps, the study categorizes 14 sample station areas based on node, place, and perception dimensions. The results classify these areas into four types: balanced, completely imbalanced, place-imbalanced, and perception-imbalanced, corresponding to four distinct spatial injustice types. Guided by the principle of "equitable access," optimization strategies are proposed, including improving barrier-free facilities to enhance accessibility, reshaping mixed-use neighborhoods for balanced functional allocation, and integrating cultural perception scenes to enrich cultural appeal and elevate the city's image. Through theoretical and methodological innovations, this study offers a scientific paradigm for the refined renewal of high-density urban rail transit station areas, fostering synergistic development between efficiency enhancement and social inclusivity.