A newly published policy brief, “Improving Street Urban Design Through Co-creation” offers timely insights into how collaborative practices between government agencies and civic actors can enhance urban street design. The report draws on recent research into a street experiment in Hong Kong and is intended to support policymakers, practitioners, and community organisations seeking to develop more inclusive and adaptive public space interventions.
The brief is based on the peer-reviewed journal article Experiment Unlearned: Unpacking Leadership and Learning of Key Actors in a Hong Kong Street Experiment, led by Dr Kristen Zhao and published in the Journal of Urban Mobility. The article examines the learning processes and leadership dynamics among key actors involved in a co-created street intervention, offering a nuanced view of how cross-sector collaboration unfolds in practice.
Focusing on government-civic partnerships, the policy brief distils the research into practical recommendations that promote trust-building, iterative learning, and shared ownership in urban design. It encourages a move away from conventional top-down planning by highlighting the value of experimentation, dialogue, and reflection in shaping the built environment.
The policy brief was shared with stakeholders, including the Hong Kong Transport Department, NGOs such as Make A Difference and the Good Lab, and academic partners at City University of Hong Kong. These engagements are part of ongoing efforts to translate academic findings into actionable strategies for urban improvement.