Abstract:Under the background of globalization, public art around the world has diverse development. Public art in Shanghai has emerged as a unique paradigm under the wave of urban micro-renewal, namely, a functionally guided entry into the micro-life of the city, from the building to the street, and from the community to the campus. Residents, government and designers have developed unique strategies of public art which is different from other countries. This paper analyzes the current development of “artistic” urban public art abroad and “functional” urban public art in China from the perspective of the urbanization process and local residents’ acceptance. This paper proposes the implantation strategies of public art with Chinese characteristics in the context of urban micro-renewal, that is, grasping the delicate balance between “artistry” and “functionality”; tapping the potential of unusual urban sites; strengthening communication between different stakeholders, and combining with emerging technologies. It also summarizes the positive impact of functional urban public art design on society and residents from macro and micro levels.