As urbanization in China continues to deepen, the country’s development model has shifted from incremental expansion to enhancing the quality of existing urban areas, positioning urban renewal as a national strategy. Among the critical aspects of urban renewal, the quality of community spaces in residential areas plays a significant role in shaping the living environment, urban perception, socio-economic dynamics, and overall quality of life for residents. Focusing on Shanghai, this study develops classification standards to identify different renewal types in urban residential areas using multi-source big data, including high-resolution remote sensing imagery and other multi-source data. Through the application of these standards in ArcGIS, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of renewal types, including retention, renovation, and demolition. The results reveal that (1) A total of 175.77 km2 of retained areas, 108.59 km2 of renovated areas, and 8.84 km2 of demolished areas are identified. (2) Retained areas are predominantly located between the outer and suburban rings, renovated areas are concentrated near the outer ring and early-developed zones in each district, and demolished areas are primarily situated in urban centers and beyond the suburban ring. These findings highlight the spatial distribution of residential areas across different renewal categories in Shanghai, offering policymakers valuable insights for resource allocation and prioritization of areas requiring urgent intervention. Furthermore, this research provides a foundation for exploring the mechanisms and socio-economic impacts of urban renewal, contributing to sustainable urban development discourse.