Urban Transitions and Dynamics

Overview & Synopsis

In recent decades, climate change and biodiversity loss have emerged as critical drivers of the global environmental crisis, significantly affecting human health and well-being, and underscoring the need to rethink contemporary urban systems. With approximately 55 % of the world’s population living in urban areas, cities are experiencing rapid transformations. A key challenge lies in creating sustainable urban environments designed to meet residents’ needs while reducing environmental impacts. Simultaneously, technological advancements—particularly digital innovation—are reshaping private and public sectors, industrial production, and individual behaviour. Cultural and digital shifts are altering social interactions, work habits, mobility, and consumption patterns, with urban areas serving as both arenas and drivers of these changes. Ecological and digital transitions thus present significant opportunities and complex challenges for cities worldwide. This reprint addresses these issues through theoretical and empirical analyses of contemporary urban dynamics and transitions, focusing on their implications for citizen health and well-being. It showcases innovative approaches and practical solutions fostering sustainable urban development and provides critical assessments of urban challenges and responses from diverse global contexts. The insights offered aim to inform and enhance urban public policies, guiding the construction of greener, digitally advanced, and socially equitable cities.