From push to partnership: evolving public engagement strategies in pandemic-induced street experiments

Zhao, Kristen J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4251-5462 and Sun, Guibo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8493-2953 (2025) From push to partnership: evolving public engagement strategies in pandemic-induced street experiments. Journal of Urban Design. ISSN 1357-4809

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Abstract

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.