‘If You Build It, They Will Come’: City’s Chief Public Realm Officer Outlines Progress, Priorities

By Mark Chiusano

Ya-Ting Liu was appointed New York City’s inaugural chief public realm officer two years ago this month. How has the realm changed so far during her tenure? 

That was the subject of Liu’s talk at New York Law School’s 196th CityLaw Breakfast on Wednesday, during which she described well-used public space as “the secret sauce of cities” and how she thinks pedestrians should be “the main character” in New York City design. <Read More>


COMPLETE VIDEO: 196th CityLaw Breakfast with Ya-Ting Liu, Chief Public Realm Officer

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Ya-Ting Liu, the City’s first Chief Public Officer, spoke at the 196th CityLaw Breakfast. Ms. Liu spoke on “Realm of Possibility: How NYC is Improving Public Space for New Yorkers.” Dean and President of New York Law School Anthony W. Crowell and Ben Max, Executive Editor and Program Director of the Center for New York City and State Law provided opening remarks. This breakfast was sponsored by Con Edison, Verizon, … <Read More>