Investigating the Relationship Between Safety Perception and Spatial Morphology in Underground Commercial Space Based on Eye-Tracking and Physiological Recording Methods

Human-centered design has taken on an increasingly central role in the 21st century. However, most research on spatial perception has focused on above-ground environments. In contrast, the enclosed nature of underground spaces often induces a sense of insecurity among users, yet it has received far less attention. To address this gap, this study adopts an embodied perspective and focuses on the underground commercial space of the Golden Eagle district in Xuzhou. We selected 22 experimental sites and collected 660 sets of psychological and physiological data from 30 participants. Principal component analysis extracted four principal components: spatial isolation, commercial atmosphere, visual perception, and functional diversity. Correlation and regression analyses showed that spatial isolation and commercial atmosphere were positively associated with subjective safety perception; commercial atmosphere and functional diversity were negatively correlated with electrodermal activity and pupil diameter, suggesting an association with physiological tension; and although the overall linear effect of the visual perception factor was not significant, its constituent indicators exhibited mutually offsetting antagonistic relationships. The conclusions drawn from the data highlight perceptual differences between underground and above-ground spaces and confirm the practical value of this study. The findings suggest, within the specific context of the Golden Eagle underground commercial district, a positive association between spatial isolation/commercial atmosphere and subjective safety perception, and correlated with lower physiological arousal levels and visual vigilance responses, thereby making people feel safer and more comfortable.