The agglomeration characteristics and radiation effects of urban commercial center nodes make them the “engines” driving urban development. Evaluating and applying the concept of “radiation ability” can deepen the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and provide guidance for urban renewal and planning practices. From the dimensions of “radiation source” and “radiation channel”, this study constructs an evaluation model for assessing the node radiation strength of urban commercial centers by selecting eight primary indicators and twenty-nine secondary indicators. Taking Chongqing’s five main business areas as examples, three principal component factors of radiation ability are extracted through principal components analysis : f₁ (spatial interaction and communication), f₂ (functional layout), and f₃ (spatial structure). The radiation index (R) of the five business areas is then calculated, and the differences in radiation capability among them are analyzed based on R and the scores of each principal component. Finally, guided by the goal of improving the radiation strength of commercial center nodes, this study proposes spatial renewal and optimization pathways focusing on strengthening spatial propagation channels, enhancing functional features, and developing a multi-core spatial structure.