Abstract: Based on the proposed principles, this paper used principal component analysis and nonrepeated twoway analysis of variance to screen the indexes of ecological benefits of waterscape in urban residential areas. Weight of each index at different levels was determined based on analytical hierarchy process decision analysis. Ultimately, a threelevel evaluation system was set up using analytical hierarchy process. We applied this evaluation system to 52 residential areas in Shanghai. The result shows that about 2/3 of waterscapes are categorized into levels 3 to 5, and nonecological artificial waterscape is the key factor that influences the ecological benefits of waterscape in residential areas in Shanghai. At last, we put forward a proposal for ecological restoration and scientific management, i.e., the construction of closetonature waterscape in residential areas. Based on the evaluation approach for ecologica1 benefits of waterscape in urban residential areas evaluation process is simple,useful and highly operable.Additionaly,evaluation results are objective and reasonable.They reflect not only the state of ecologica1 benefits of waterscape,but also the living quality of residents and water environmental management level of residential area.