The rise of coworking spaces (CWS) have been significantly influenced by shifts in work paradigms in the broader context of globalization and technological advancements. Digitalization has reshaped all aspects of our lives, namely the production and service delivery processes, making work activities more flexible in temporal and spatial terms. This shift has resulted in new tasks, occupational profiles, and work arrangements, emphasizing efficiency and adaptability over traditional and rigid work structures. Especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work models have quickly emerged as the predominant work arrangement for a growing number of remote and mobile workers looking for a greater work-life balance and greater job satisfaction [1]. CWS has been gaining increasing visibility as a flexible, and often more affordable, collaborative spaces. They position themselves within the framework of a contemporary knowledge-based economy. The development of CWS is strategically aligned with broader trajectories of city development and planning [2]. These spaces are embedded in the fabric of urban economies and position themselves at the intersection of intersectoral and international flows of goods, services, and specialized labour [3]. As these spaces continue to evolve and attract a diverse spectrum of users, businesses, and operators, their nature has also become increasingly hybrid, combining a variety of activities, sectors, functions, and/or spatial configurations [4, 5]. This presentation examines the existing literature's nexus between emerging workspaces, labor transformations, and urban development trends. It explores the shifts in work paradigms, driven by globalization and digitalization, shaping working practices and workplaces. By comparing two European cities, Lisbon and Bratislava, it seeks to identify the multifaceted factors that influence the development, location, and characteristics of these workspaces in the context of distinct local urban ecosystems, as well as the urban policies and strategies that impact their development. Both cities, while geopolitically peripheral, offer valuable lessons on integrating CWS into the urban fabric, revealing patterns and strategies that reflect wider regional and international trends in the transformation of workspaces. Our methodological approach combines spatial analysis of CWS locations, in-depth stakeholder interviews, and comprehensive site visits. In addition, we examined local and national urban policies that influence CWS development. This methodology allows us to explore how coworking spaces integrate into and impact their urban ecosystems, as well as the changing dynamics of work and city life, in the interplay between local and global.

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