Beyond Immersion: A System‐Level Topological Stitching Model for Virtual Reality Place Reconstruction

ABSTRACT This study tests Topological Stitching Theory (TST) as an operational framework explaining how Virtual Reality (VR) reconstructs coherent place representations from fragmented spatial environments. It introduces Digital Placeness as a second‐order construct capturing cognitive‐affective integration through Spatial Coherence, Affective Anchoring, and Narrative Embodiment. Spatial topology analysis of 3872 heritage sites in Xi'an quantified landscape fragmentation as a baseline constraint. Second, a randomized controlled experiment randomly assigned 612 eligible participants to a topology‐driven VR system or an information‐equivalent audio‐visual control condition; 604 participants completed the study and were included in the final analyses. A 12‐item Digital Placeness scale was developed and validated. Structural equation modeling showed that VR significantly enhanced all three dimensions ( p < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicates that Digital Placeness functions as a core integration mechanism, substantially explaining the association between VR exposure and downstream behavioral outcomes. EEG evidence supported Affective Anchoring. The findings guide integration‐oriented VR design.