Remote work from a socio-spatial perspective: Co-working spaces as a chance for suburban and rural areas?

Abstract

The world of labour is undergoing major changes. With the processes of digitalisation, the possibilities to work flexibly wher-ever people live or spend their time are increasing. Digital-based forms of work promote the development of mobile work in a self-determined location (e.g. in a home office or co-work-ing space). Such location-independent forms of work offer new opportunities for further development of rural areas and especially small and medium-sized towns. The strategic (re) link-ing of living and working is in many respects both an opportunity and a challenge in equal measure: A shift in the centre of people’s lives can strengthen the place of residence in rural areas through increased (also) economic demand, through a mix of uses and a diversified demand for local supply or through a reduction of traffic loads, such as commuting. In this paper, we explore both the socio-spatial preconditions and the effects of this shift from places of work to places of residence in rural areas. The aim is to outline a systematic classification of co-working spaces with regard to sustainable spatial development in order to promote the opportunities of mobile work in different suburban and rural areas.