Master’s thesis research: Walking experience evaluation of urban three-dimensional commercial street

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Keywords

Three-Dimensional Commercial Street; Walking experience; Analytic hierarchy process; Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation

Introduction

With the rapid process of urbanization and economic development, there is a common belief that urban space should be used more intensively, and that the three-dimensional development of urban space is a main approach to achieve this. Thus, Chinese cities are widely building three-dimensional urban systems, and the commercial three-dimensional system is one of the main types. However, new business models like e-commerce are leading to a decrease in the use rate of these systems. To slow down this decrease, improving the walking experience of these systems would be an effective approach, and accurately evaluating walking experience in these systems to figure out the defects is essential to take this approach.

This research focuses on walking experience in commercial three-dimensional systems. Taking Optics Valley Pedestrian Zone as the main case, this research aims to identify the indices and evaluation method of walking experience in commercial three-dimensional systems, and to determine how to improve walking experience using the evaluation results.

In the first and second parts, the research analyses concept and evaluation principles based on current research and theories. Meanwhile, the research thoroughly analyses the walking space system of Optics Valley Pedestrian Zone. On the basis of the first two parts, the research establishes an evaluation index system, and then calculates the weights of each index. Using this system, the research carries out a field study and collects pedestrian satisfaction evaluation data of walking experience in Optics Valley Pedestrian Zone. The next phase of the research identifies which indices require the most improvement, based on the collected data. In the final part of this research, the author puts forward recommendations to improve the indices that require the most improvement.

This research adopts a comprehensive methodology to fulfil the complex and multi-phase research objectives. First, the research sets participatory design as the basic principle and final goal. Post-occupancy evaluation provides the foundational methodology framework for this research. Specifically, space syntax analysis was used for the basic reading and understanding of the case study’s spatial configuration. Then, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is adopted to define the evaluation index system, and on this basis, questionnaires are compiled and sent out to collect evaluation data. Next, evaluation scores are calculated for each index item using Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE). Finally, to translate the evaluation results into practical suggestions and guidance, Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is utilised.

This comprehensive methodology uses multiple software and tools, including SPSS for data statistics, Yaahp for the AHP method, and depthMap for space syntax analysis, along with other visualisation and graphic tools.

The research determines a complete index system for evaluation of walking experience in commercial three-dimensional systems. With the case study of Optics Valley Pedestrian Zone, the research finds that factors concerning ‘comfort’ and ‘convenience’ affect walking experience in commercial three-dimensional systems the most, and also finds that Optics Valley Pedestrian Zone exhibits some problems in these areas. These problems can be solved, and consequently, both walking experience and space use rate would improve.

My role

Qian Liu carried out this research project independently under the supervision of Prof. Hexuan Dong.

Hexuan Dong (Supervisor) |

Master’s thesis research: Walking experience evaluation of urban three-dimensional commercial street

Keywords

Introduction

My role