The impact and dual-output efficiency of the built environment on spatial vitality and perceived safety in metro station areas: A case study of Guangzhou

Under the sustainable development paradigm emphasizing quality and efficiency, metro station areas driven by transit-oriented development (TOD) principles have become critical places for fostering urban vitality and perceived safety. To address gaps in existing research regarding subjective perception, three-dimensional environmental measurement, and spatial efficiency evaluation, this study investigates Guangzhou’s metro station areas by integrating multi-source data including population density heatmaps and street view images. Employing deep learning algorithms, a mixed-effects model, and data envelopment analysis (DEA), we systematically examine the spatial distribution, built environment factors, and dual-output efficiency of objective spatial vitality and subjective perceived safety. Results reveal: (1) Both vitality and perceived safety exhibit a core-periphery gradient, with the latter showing localized high values in peripheral areas; (2) Built environment factors exert differential impacts—building density, floor area ratio, street stall counts, and betweenness centrality show stronger positive associations with vitality, while functional diversity, green view index, facade transparency, and physical disorder exert more pronounced effects on perceived safety; (3) Pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of the vitality-safety dual output demonstrate differentiation, thus identifying four station typologies: “synergistic-enhanced,” “management-deficit,” “systemic-deviant,” and “scale-constrained.” The findings underscore the necessity of balancing environmental optimization with scale adaptation through differentiated interventions to advance station-city integration.