Through the lens of Shanghai, within the top-down Chinese context, this study aims to analyse how modes of public space governance can help to build trust amongst the public and strengthen trust more widely in society. The study first examines the conflictual nature of public space, logics of trust and control in dealing with such conflict, and ongoing place-shaping processes as set against activities designed to build trust. Then, based on a framework which represents different levels of top-down intervention and bottom-up participation, it will use four in depth cases in Shanghai to examine the interrelationship between place-shaping and trust-building. Finally, the research will theorise shaping processes in different settings to interrogate how the trusting relationships help with ongoing shaping process, and how social trust can be strengthened through collectively shaping the cities.
