HYBRID URBAN SPACE: INNOVATION OF PUBLIC SPACES INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE, AND SUSTAINABILITY (Case Study: Denpasar City)

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and tourism-driven economic growth in Denpasar City have created significant challenges for the continuity of traditional cultural spaces, environmental resilience, and technological transformation of public spaces. As the capital city of Bali, Denpasar’s public spaces are not only urban facilities but also cultural and spiritual arenas shaped by Balinese identity. This research examines the concept of Hybrid Urban Space as an innovative urban design strategy that integrates technology, cultural values, and sustainability into public space development. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study analyzes three major public spaces — Puputan Badung Public Square, Lumintang City Park, and Niti Mandala Renon Civic Park — through field observations, stakeholder interviews, and document analysis. The findings reveal that Denpasar has begun to adopt digital infrastructure such as smart lighting, Wi-Fi services, and surveillance systems; however, the integration remains partial and tends to prioritize functionality over cultural and ecological meaning. The proposed design model highlights four key strategies: adaptive smart technology, cultural-based spatial reinterpretation, sustainable tropical design, and socially adaptive public space programming. The study concludes that hybrid public spaces have strong potential to support inclusivity, maintain cultural authenticity, and enhance environmental resilience while advancing smart city development. This approach contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, especially in the context of culturally distinctive Southeast Asian cities such as Denpasar.