Underground streets are often situated in public transportation hubs or major trading areas as a common way of utilization of underground space. However, most of the underground streets are lacking in vitality. People are the major users of urban space. The design strategies, taking into account the relationship between building environment and people’s demand, as well as psychological characteristics of behavioral cognition can stimulate people’s motivations of activity effectively, and then improve the vitality of underground streets. This paper analyzes the existing problems of underground streets, and then explores the needs and psychological characteristics of behavioral cognition of people, finally, proposes the design strategies of improving the vitality of underground streets in central areas.