Transforming New York City’s Public Realm

New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Ya-Ting Liu as the city’s first-ever Chief Public Realm Officer, delivering on a key promise from his State of the City address. In this newly created role, Liu will coordinate across city government, community organizations, and the private sector to create extraordinary public spaces across the entire city and continue to drive the city’s economic recovery. Codified in Executive Order 27, the position will ensure that New Yorkers continue to have a one-stop shop for all issues related to public space.

The Chief Public Realm Officer will provide a centralized and holistic approach to city policy, public communication, interagency coordination, and stakeholder engagement across all City agencies engaged in public realm projects and programs that touch roadways, curb space, and green space.

Since Ya-Ting Liu’s appointment, she has advanced major public space policy and project initiatives for the Adams Administration including overseeing the implementation of the country’s largest outdoor dining program and transforming commercial districts throughout the city, including the redesign of 5th Avenue from Bryant Park to Central Park. Ya-Ting is also focused on reforms that make it easier for New Yorkers to activate, maintain, and program in public spaces.

In the last two years, the administration has transformed over 40 football fields of public space in all five boroughs! Learn more about the Chief Public Realm Officer’s work in the Public Realm Report.