Shuning Feng is a PhD candidate at the Imagine Lancaster Design Research Centre, Lancaster University, UK, whose work investigates the collaborative power of urban design in creating vibrant, intercultural public spaces. Her research combines community studies with co-design methodologies to explore how cities can encourage intercultural interactions and enrich the social fabric of urban life. Shuning’s PhD research direction re-examines the intercultural character of cities in China, exploring how thoughtful urban planning can integrate diverse cultural expressions into everyday settings. Her work seeks to cultivate environments where residents not only coexist, but actively engage with one another. Through her innovative approach, she expects to provide practical insights and design strategies that promise to enhance the inclusivity, resilience and cultural vibrancy of urban spaces.