Coworking Spaces in Cities

Coworking, as a broad term, is used in geography, sociology, urban and regional economics, organization studies, management, planning, architecture, real estate, psychology, and psychiatry. Coworking is generally intended as the practice of workers (autonomous workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, public and private employees) sharing a physical environment by renting a space on an as-needed basis (e.g., a desk, room, or others) where they perform all or part of their work activities, which may correspond or not to their primary work location. This article examines various aspects of coworking, especially considering the physical spaces where the practice of coworking takes place, from the perspectives of economic geography and urban and regional economics. In recent years, coworking spaces have proliferated and received more attention due to the globalization and the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution; the digitalization of the economy, and the consequent increasing importance of the “geographical proximity” for the innovative activities; the economic downturn that began in 2008; the rise of the self-employed, freelancers, and remote workers; the COVID-19 pandemic; and geopolitical and social disruptions (i.e., war in Ukraine). The emergence of coworking spaces is indicative of a wider shift in the digital economy, moving away from traditional of ces and hierarchical structures toward a more exible approach centered on projects, networks, and collaborations. While the rst coworking space was established in San Francisco in 2005, cities have seen the emergence of this phenomenon in the wake of the nancial and economic crises of 2007 and 2008. Since its founding in 2010, WeWork has emerged as the most well-known coworking space. Coworking spaces were tested by big businesses like IBM and Microsoft to increase networking possibilities and employee satisfaction. Additionally, coworking spaces have expanded geographically worldwide. Coworking spaces are currently present in every state, most metropolitan areas, second-tier cities, as well as in peripheral and rural areas, with the majority (approximately 90 percent) located in large and medium-sized cities. In particular, rural coworking spaces seek to boost the local economy, encourage entrepreneurship, and give young people in the area access to professional viewpoints. Despite being well established, the coworking concept is still evolving in terms of its location (rural versus urban), spatial characteristics, hybridization level, and governance structure (public, private, or public-private). More recently, strategies for adapting to disruptions such as the war in Ukraine and the pandemic have emerged. Coworking spaces vary in terms of their typology, location, and the effects they have on users, organizations, and the territory. They are often associated with urban and regional development and competitiveness, and many studies of coworking spaces are linked to enterprise, entrepreneurship, startups, and innovation. From a methodological perspective, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods are all used in coworking research. Studies concerning the location of coworking spaces mainly use quantitative analysis. In contrast, studies examine the effects of coworking on individuals (well-being, work-life balance, and job satisfaction), organizations, and territories that favor qualitative analysis and mixed methods. The paper presents a structured literature review on Coworking spaces in Cities focusing on: Definitions and Approaches, Location Patterns of Coworking Spaces, Effects of Coworking Spaces on Workers, Organizations, and Territories, COVID-19 Pandemic, Remote Working, and Disruptions, Policy Measures Promoting Coworking Spaces.