How temporary urban interventions have been used as a medium for freedom and control against the background of drastically changed public spaces during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was inspected. On-site investigation, participant interview and mapping were employed in case studies to scrutinise the most representative projects after the selection and categorisation of the urban intervention cases. The results and analysis reveal the consideration and relationship between the changes in spatial arrangement and administrative control in public spaces, and thus provide a reference for citizens and policymakers to create high-quality post-COVID public spaces.