From push to partnership: evolving public engagement strategies in pandemic-induced street experiments
The analytical framework for public engagement in street experimentsAbstract
This study explores the evolution of public engagement strategies and their impact on pandemic-induced street experiments. Analysing 24 cases worldwide, it identifies three engagement structures: Push-Pull, Lean Push-Pull-Network, and Rich Push-Pull-Network. The first two structures revealed challenges, including public dissatisfaction with rapid, low-cost designs, limited governmental capacity to integrate feedback, and inadequate evaluation mechanisms. In contrast, the Rich Push-Pull-Network structure – characterized by two-way communication and participatory decision-making – significantly increased the likelihood of street experiment continuation, underscoring the crucial role of public engagement in co-creating inclusive and resilient urban design outcomes during and beyond crisis contexts.
Dr Kristen Zhao
Deputy Director
Dr Zhao is a is an urban researcher and Lecturer in Architecture whose work integrates architectural education, urban research, and spatial analytics. Her research employs mixed-method approaches to examine urban mobility transitions, urban analytics, and design-led experimentation in cities.
Dr Guibo Sun
Director
Dr Guibo Sun is a Lecturer in Urban Planning at the University of Manchester. His research examines how major urban infrastructure shapes cities and affects social and health outcomes, spanning the intersections of planning, land policy, transportation, urban design, and public health.