New York’s First Chief Public Realm Officer

New York is also concerned about its public spaces, and it addresses this by introducing a new job title within City Hall, tasked with coordinating the private sector and the administration to create original, welcoming, and high-quality public spaces. This means maintenance, activation, and engaging people in neighborhood activities.

Ya-Ting Liu, the first Chief Public Realm Officer of New York, has been in charge since 2023 and has quickly launched significant initiatives to activate various city spaces, from Dining Out NYC —the largest outdoor dining program in the country— to redesigning Fifth Avenue between Bryant Park and Central Park.

The festival’s opening day offers an opportunity to see how one of the world’s most powerful public administrations manages public space issues. This keynote is a must-attend for all city officials and administrators attending Utopian Hours 2024.