Hosted by the Program on Chinese Cities （PCC）
05/08/2025 3:00 PM-4:00 PM EST
Presenter: Zhirong He
Associate Professor, Urban Communication Studies
Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Visiting scholar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Supervisor: Prof. Yan Song
Abstract:
Against the backdrop of accelerating global urbanization and the reorganization of social relations in the post-pandemic era, public space, as the physical carrier of urban communication and the practice field of civic interaction, has become a core concern in academic and policy-making circles. The United Nations’ New Urban Agenda clearly states that urban spatial design should not only meet functional needs but also facilitate democratic dialogue.
This research re-examines public space reconstruction in urban renewal projects from a communication perspective. Taking the Denver Market Station project as a case study, it proposes a conceptual shift from “functional container” to “relational medium,” giving rise to broader discussions on how urban space fosters interaction, inclusion, and communication.
Through field investigation, policy document analysis, and communication theory frameworks, this study explores the communicative logics and reconstructive mechanisms of public space in urban renewal.
Key findings include:
-
Public space reconstruction in urban renewal is not only a physical transformation but also a reorganization of social relations and communication networks.
-
Public space acts as a “communication node,” carrying civic interactions and the accumulation of social capital.
-
Introducing a “Public Communication Partnership (PPP)” model can effectively promote inclusivity and sustainability of public spaces.
This research enriches the theoretical framework of urban communication studies and provides valuable practical references for promoting inclusive and high-quality public space governance in China’s urban renewal processes.