Spatial cognition and emotion simulation in urban interior environments using agent-based modelling: Spatial cognition and emotion simulation

The proliferation of vertical urbanization has generated complex urban interior environments (UIEs), necessitating a deeper understanding of their impact on human well-being. This study investigates UIEs through neuroscience to develop a novel methodology for assessing volumetric spatial quality. This paper proposes the Cognitive-Emotional Volumetric Agent-Based Model (CEVABM), which integrates a systematic review of cognitive-emotional behavioural mechanisms to simulate spatial usage. By extrapolating emotional responses to UIE visual characteristics–including depth, colour and object taxonomies–into behavioural tendencies, CEVABM informs human flow simulations to evaluate perceived spatial quality. Results demonstrate quantifiable relationships between spatial features, emotional-cognitive responses and movement patterns, revealing how design elements shape experience in high-density interiors. This approach advances microscale UIE analysis by bridging spatial cognition, user behaviour and design, offering actionable insights for creating human-centred UIEs that prioritize experiential quality and well-being. Highlights Developed a cognitive-emotional model for urban interior environments. Simulated emotion-driven pedestrian movement using neuroscientific data. Quantified how spatial features shape approach and avoidance in dense interiors. Validated the model with a case study at Hudson Yards, New York. Predicted emotion-driven navigation better than traditional spatial analysis.