As cities and societies are increasingly reshaped by technological change and evolving everyday practices, hybridisation has emerged as a key concept for understanding the intersections between physical, digital, social, and spatial dimensions of life. Hybrid cities describe urban environments where these interactions create new, transformative ways of organizing and using space, and of societies adapting to rapid change.

This book explores the transformative trends reshaping urban environments, from digital integration and green care to shifting socio-demographics, cultural and economic models. It examines how cities can balance sustainability with the demands of contemporary living and working, using emerging technologies and citizens’ participation to foster resilient, inclusive communities. Through case studies and expert insights, it delves into the critical role of policy, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration in creating adaptable cities that are ready for the challenges of the future. The book provides a varied picture of hybridization processes at various scales, national, regional and local, and in diverse geographical contexts.

Readers will gain a nuanced understanding of the “hybrid” nature of future cities, where digital and physical realities coalesce to redefine human interactions, built environment and related urban domains such as mobility, living, working, and urban green care. The book contributes to the understanding of theoretical and practical implications of hybridity and related concepts for our society, urban environments and lifestyle. It will support academics, practitioners and stakeholders to identify the new hybrid paths of our cities and society and frame the potential impacts and future consequences of hybridization processes in different dimensions.

Mina Di Marino, professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Landscape and Society, As, Norway.

Maria Assunção Gato, assistant professor at the Lisbon School of Architecture and researcher at the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Centro de Estudos sobre a Mudança Socioeconómica e o Território (DINÂMIA'CET), Lisboa, Portugal and at CIAUD, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.