Flexible Working Arrangements and Near-Working for More Sustainable and Just Territories Experiences from Europe with a Focus on Italy

Globalization, the COVID-19 pandemic, and technological advancements have led to the rise of fl exible working arrangements (FWA), allowing work to be performed alternately at the offi ce, at home, and in third spaces, such as coworking spaces. Policymakers have proposed policies to promote FWA in urban, suburban, peripheral, and rural areas, thus enhancing near-working arrangements, where employees work remotely from satellite offi ces or local coworking spaces near their places of residence. However, evidence of the tangible eff ects of these policies on the environment, the territory, and the society is poorly reported. This paper explores the eff ects of FWA by analysing the policy of the Emilia-Romagna Region in the northeast of Italy, through desk research and in-depth structured interviews with key informants. It fi nds that the Emilia-Romagna Region’s policy improved work–life balance and wellbeing for its employees, reduced the cost of commuting, urban traffi c, and commuting-related emissions. As stressed by the interviewees, the policy framework addresses (or plans to address) issues such as gender, family responsibilities, disability, work–life balance, and life satisfaction. Additionally, the availability of coworking spaces and alternative workspaces in public locations, where the Region’s employees can work, has positively infl uenced peripheral neighbourhoods and rural areas, thus promoting just territories.