Securing public space in planned city extensions, city in fills and slum-upgrading as part of the urban development agenda. In many cities low proportions of public space are being created and secured. In formally developed areas it is essential to protect and enhance existing public space, to increase security, improve management and planning, and increase access; planning standards can protect public space from development and support incremental creation of new public spaces, as in Hong Kong where developers who create new pocket parks on a constrained site are permitted increased floor space in return. In informal settlements a participatory slum-upgrading approach can identify spaces where community-led intervention can improve facilities and services without major relocations, for example Slum Dwellers International re-blocking approach in Cape Town, South Africa, where paving footpaths and access routes, improving drainage and providing play spaces is enhancing the quality of life. In planned urban extensions more generous allocations can be achieved by ensuring public space allocations that are culturally and climatically appropriate.