Currently, multiple forces including globalization and localization, digital transformation and industrial restructuring, new urbanization and rural revitalization, sustainable development and modernization of social governance are intricately intertwined, transforming regional and urban development into a dynamic equilibrium process under multiple objectives and constraints. Within this context, new concepts, requirements, and domains continuously emerge, forming cross-cutting composite concepts expressed as “B from A perspective”， “B oriented toward A”， or “B based on A”. These concepts transcend simple aggregation of existing notions, embodying new objectives, relationship norms, or operational scopes, representing novel cognitive approaches to complex regional and urban challenges. Nevertheless, academic research on comprehensive evaluation of such complex concepts remains relatively underdeveloped: conceptual definitions lack systematic clarity, failing to fully elucidate transformative connotations following the introduction of limiting conditions or lacking operationality; indicator system construction remains subjective, without unified design principles or construction paradigms, inadequately reflecting multi-dimensional cross-attributes between conceptual sub-dimensions; indicator selection lacks comprehensiveness and efficacy, insufficiently covering key aspects of conceptual connotations and lacking systematic verification. This paper aims to address this research gap by proposing the “C-P-I” framework for regional and urban studies, systematically analyzing comprehensive evaluation systems for composite concepts across three dimensions. First, regarding precise conceptual definition, we emphasize crosscutting characteristics, namely accurately revealing the essential nature generated through interactions between A and B and their sub-dimensions; we emphasize specificity, namely anchoring particular scenarios, issues, and core relationships served by the concept; and we emphasize consistency, namely ensuring logical coherence between conceptual definition and measurement operations. Second, regarding scientific indicator system construction, we employ multi-dimensional crossing principles to characterize cross-unit level interactions; hierarchical decomposition principles to establish systematic structures from purpose layer to scenario layer, element layer, observation layer, indicator layer, and explanation layer; and normative-positive integration principles to unify theoretical ideals with empirical measurements. Third, regarding credible indicator selection, we emphasize comprehensiveness to fully encompass conceptual connotations; compositeness to reflect cross-interactive characteristics of concepts; and validity to ensure indicator quality and system robustness through rigorous testing. This framework not only provides tools for evaluating complex concepts but also embodies mechanisms promoting discovery and reproduction of complex concepts. It advances regional analysis from traditional, relatively static, and uni-dimensional models toward more dynamic, integrated, and precise comprehension of complexity, offering more effective theoretical instruments and methodological support for deepening regional understanding and serving regional practices.