This paper examines the reception and integration of asylum seekers in Paris, focusing on the governance of public spaces. Since 2015, the visibility of refugees in these areas has sparked civil awareness, particularly following the establishment of tent camps reminiscent of the 2006 homeless camps along the Ourq canal, which mobilized civil society. The control of public space involves not only direct policing but also the strategic use of urban design to regulate behavior, such as benches that deter lying down and barriers that redirect social activities. In Paris, the management of refugee reception reflects a complex multilevel governance structure, incorporating national policies, local government initiatives, and non-governmental efforts. The city, cooperating with NGOs, has set up provisional reception centers providing individualized support, signifying a commitment to human rights that extends beyond national mandates. The paper highlights a shift from traditional command-and-control strategies to more delegated, negotiated forms of public space management, involving new technologies and self-regulation. This transformation suggests a move towards a more collaborative policy environment where non-state actors play a significant role in the formulation and implementation of reception policies. In conclusion, the governance of refugee reception in Paris is increasingly characterized by ‘regulation-in-progress’, where decision-making processes evolve to integrate diverse inputs and adapt to changing circumstances, significantly influenced by the activities of the government department DIHAL. This evolving approach underlines the importance of accommodating diverse stakeholders in the management of urban public spaces.