Under the influence of rapid urbanization, the misalignment between the spatial evolution of traditional villages and the needs of villagers became increasingly evident. Analyzing the structural characteristics of public spaces from the perspective of aligning material space with social demands and proposing optimization strategies was therefore pressing. Current research often focused on single types or levels of public space and did not adequately consider the overall space or its users, failing to provide scientific guidance for the update and optimization of traditional village public spaces. This study used Nanjiao Village in Beijing as a case to explore the relationship between the structural characteristics of public spaces in traditional villages in the western Beijing region and residents' spatial use preferences. By coupling Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Space Syntax, it constructed both an objective material space network and axial model as well as a subjective villagers' behavioral network model. The study conducted a multi-level analysis of "village-streets-nodes" from a "point-line-plane" spatial perspective and integrated the diagrammatic languages of SNA and Space Syntax to visualize the structural characteristics of village public spaces and explore the interaction mechanisms between public space nodes and alley spaces. The results indicated:1) The spatial form of Nanjiao Village is constrained by the mountains on both sides of the river valley, resulting in a band-like spatial structure with a main axis along North Street and a secondary axis along the ancient street, characterized by central aggregation, peripheral dispersion, and evenly distributed internal streets. Public space nodes are concentrated around North Street, the ancient street, and the historical cultural area represented by the Niangniang Temple, forming a spatial network centered on village history and culture with major traffic routes as axes. Similar settlement forms are widely distributed in traditional valley villages with the same Niangniang Temple belief culture in western Beijing. 2) The street space in Nanjiao Village is a settlement structure formed from grassroots long-term living customs, dominating the connectivity among public space nodes, which is a fundamental factor in measuring the public space structure. Moreover, the choice and continuity of the street space where public spaces are located reflect the connectivity between the nodes and the overall village space, influencing villagers' daily activity paths and subsequently the usage level of public spaces. 3) The distribution of public space nodes in Nanjiao Village is centered around the main street and historical cultural facilities, forming a factional pattern of public spaces. Simulation analysis and field research reveal that nodes within each faction are closely connected and exhibit strong resilience, with high usage rates among villagers. Outside the factions, the spatial network is weak, with ineffective connections between nodes, which is closely related to insufficient intermediary nodes and functional facilities that weaken villagers' behavioral perception. 4) The selection of activity venues by villagers in Nanjiao Village shows a clear tendency, with public spaces that integrate organically with living spaces and possess high social, cultural attributes, and historical significance attracting more daily social activities than those along the main thoroughfare, reflecting the profound influence of historical and cultural customs in western Beijing on villagers' behavioral preferences. Finally, the study proposes targeted optimization strategies of "connection, node enhancement, and empowerment" to support the precise optimization and sustainable development of public spaces in traditional villages.