Objective This study aimed to construct an evaluation index system for village "Production–Living–Ecological" (PLE) space functions, to reveal the development trends and spatial characteristics of suburban villages in megacities, and propose an optimized classification system, which provides a scientific basis for differentiated village development strategies.

Method Taking 264 villages in Shenbei New District and Yuhong District of Shenyang as the study area, the multi-source data were collected, including 2020 land use data, points of interest (POI), and road networks. Nineteen indicators such as cultivated land area and access to medical services were selected to build a comprehensive evaluation system of PLE spatial functions. Spatial distribution patterns of village PLE functions were analyzed, and an optimized village classification system was developed accordingly.

Result In 2020, the PLE spatial functions of villages in the study area exhibited significant spatial agglomeration. Based on the spatial function index, villages were categorized and refined into six types under three main classes: central development type, renovation and improvement type, relocation and resettlement type, ecological reclamation type, modern livable type, and rural revitalization type.

Conclusion The spatial functions of villages in the study area showed distinct regional differentiation. Production and living space functions exhibited a spatial gradient decreasing outward from the central urban area of Shenyang, while ecological space followed a "higher in the south, lower in the north" pattern. All three functional spaces showed significant spatial clustering, with the strongest clustering in ecological space, followed by living and then production space. Among the classified villages, the central development type accounted for the largest proportion at 43.9%.