Comprehensive Evaluation of Functional Diversity of Urban Commercial Complexes Based on Dissipative Structure Theory and Synergy Theory: A Case of SM City Plaza in Xiamen, China

Urban commercial complex is an architectural form formed in the high-density urban building environment based on the diversified concentration of human consumption behavior and the composite utilization of space. It can effectively cope with the problem of tight land resources and insufficient development capacity in urban centers and promote sustainable urban development. Additionally, the diversity of functions is the key to ensure its healthy operation. Based on the homogenization phenomenon of commercial complex development in some big cities in China in recent years, this study applies dissipative structure theory and synergistic effect theory to the study of functional diversity system of urban commercial complexes, and proposes a Shannon–Weiner biodiversity index model and calculation indexes based on the functional diversity measurement model. At the same time, correlation analysis and comparative analysis were conducted between the measurement results of spatial vitality and the calculation results of the diversity model to verify the scientificity and rationality of the proposed model. Finally, the SM City Plaza commercial complex in Xiamen was selected as a representative research object to measure the functional diversity of its weekdays and holidays and the coupling relationship between functional diversity and changes in spatial vitality. The calculation results show that although the comprehensive index of functional diversity of SM commercial complex is in a dynamic state of change, the overall level is high. The reasonable proportion of the six functional formats shows a high level of diversity, which effectively promotes the generation of commercial vitality and enhances the comprehensive benefits of the commercial complex; the change trends of functional diversity in time and space dimensions are in line with the actual situation, indicating that the proposed model has certain scientific and application values. On the basis of the completed empirical work, the scope of application and limitations of the calculation model and evaluation method, as well as the optimization of the index system are further pointed out.