130 research outputs found
Introducing the Worldwide Phenomenon of Flexible Workplaces
No full textThis introduction chapter briefly discusses the main focus of the book on the phenomenon of new workplaces (also known as “third places,” “flexible spaces,” and “collaborative spaces”), with a focus on coworking spaces and maker spaces, which is defined as permanent or temporary spaces for working. At the same time, they enable collaboration, mutual learning, knowledge sharing, as well as social and spatial relationships among users. It then highlights the importance of the book in sharing the findings of several international and multidisciplinary research projects
concerning coworking spaces and maker spaces as paradigmatic of a shift in the new geography of working and making. Furthermore, this chapter outlines the structure of this edited book in four main parts: (i) Phenomena; (ii) Actors; (iii) Places; and (iv) Agenda. It then underlines that this book is designed for an international audience; it is useful not only for the academic world (in Urban Planning, Urban and Regional Economics, Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Architectural and Urban Design) but also for policymakers, civil and entrepreneurial associations, and
business operators
A Research Agenda for the Future of Workplaces
No full textThe concluding chapter outlines the main findings of the edited book "New workplaces. Location patterns, urban effects and development trajectories" concerning the analysis and discussion of new workplaces, specifically CSs and MSs, in different geographical contexts: (i) by providing definitions, and exploring their typologies, users, and location factors; (ii) by investigating the effects on the local context; (iii) by exploring urban planning and policies. Several case studies in Europe (Italy, UK, and France) and in the USA have been explored. The results show that the phenomenon is mainly urban, but even suburban and peripheral areas are becoming attractive to new working spaces. Although the book is concerned about the period before the Covid-19 pandemic, this chapter opens the discourse towards the immediate and future effects of the pandemic on the geography of work and new working spaces and suggests new avenues for future research
Evolution of hub port-cities into global logistics centres
No full textThis paper makes an attempt to explore the evolutionary process of major port cities in the Eastern World, while transforming from freight transport hubs into global logistics centres. The discourse is developed through studying the two significant cases in Pacific Asia and Middle East, where development is occurring on a spectacular scale: respectively Singapore and Dubai. In this study, Singapore is considered as an extreme case of transhipment hub ports, which has been successful in attracting logistics activity and developing a leading global logistics centre. By conducting a comparative case study approach and descriptive statistics, Dubai's competitiveness as a logistics hub is compared to Singapore, based on the following indicators: location; port container and air cargo handling respectively for the periods 1975-2015 and 2001-2015; basic socio-economic indictors (Population, GDP, GDP per capita and share of main sectors in the economy for the period 1990s-2015); infrastructures and transport facilities; ease of doing business; and more importantly the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) for the period 2007-2016. The aim is to fill the gap in the literature on emerging logistics hubs in the Middle East by confronting Dubai to Singapore, which is among the top global logistics centres. The study argues that Dubai is far from Singapore in terms of logistics performance. Nonetheless, the trade-infrastructural investments and rising freight distribution (via sea and air), yet also the growth in LPI in the past decade is a proof to Dubai's ambitious in evolving from a regional trading hub into a global logistics centre.
Port Geography and Hinterland Development Dynamics
No full textThis book illustrates and discusses the main characteristics of port-city development dynamics with a focus on the fast-growing city-states of the Middle East, which are emerging as key players in logistics and the global supply chain. Maritime ports and the cities hosting them have long fascinated scholars – geographers, economists, architects, urban planners, sociologists etc. – as they become centres of exchange where different social and urban environments meet, at the intersection between land and sea. Given that the current body of literature on the topic is biased – mainly concerning the Western world and East Asian region – with mono-disciplinary tendencies, this book outlines a theoretical basis from a wide range of literature, linking port-city studies, globalization theories and logistics, and adopts a multidisciplinary perspective. The main target audience of the book includes scholars and graduate students in urban studies, spatial planning, urban and regional economics, logistics, geography and transport geography with an interest in studying port geography and the port-city interface, port infrastructure development and port hinterland dynamics; it will also benefit policymakers and urban planners whose work involves these topics
Development dynamics of port-cities interface in the Arab Middle Eastern world - The case of Dubai global hub port-city
No full textMany scholars in the field of architecture, urban planning, transportation, geography, economics and sociology have studied port-cities from different perspectives. Yet, the majority of literature on this topic is concerned about the Developed Western and East Asian World. With the aim to contribute to the existing studies and to fill this gap in the literature, this paper makes an attempt to study an example in the fast-developing Arab States in the Middle East, which has recently drawn a particular attention among the scholars. Dubai provides an interesting case study, as it currently hosts the major transhipment hubport of the region. Centred on a single case-study approach, a four-phase model is hypothesized as a tool to investigate the changing spatial and functional dynamics at the port-city interface from the 1900s to the 2010s. The argument is based on a reciprocal relationship between the port and the city, since the advent of a free port. Historically the port has been the economic backbone. Consequently the Creek dredging and newly constructed ports integrated with ancillary infrastructures (such as FTZs) have played an important role in boosting the growth. Some concluding remarks underline the main trends in Dubai's port-city development, compared to the existing European and Asian models. This dynamic evolution is influenced by internal factors, such as oil revenues and governmental strategies, as well as external ones, like the regional and global forces. Despite sharing common features with the Asian consolidation model, this study suggests that Dubai may demonstrate a particular pattern of port-city development
Coworking Spaces and Well-Being: An Empirical Investigation of Coworkers in Italy
No full textIn the era of rising globalization, technological advancements (e.g.,
ICT), and the aftermath of the 2008 global economic crisis, working
is becoming less dependent on distance, time, and space. With the
increasing number of freelance and independent workers, more
flexible working styles are emerging. The present paper aims to
study the effect of coworking spaces (CSs) on coworkers’ (CWs)
level of well-being and life satisfaction; in other words, to explore
the factors that may affect their well-being at such flexible,
collaborative workplaces. To conduct an empirical study, we sent
an online questionnaire to the CWs working in 549 CSs in Italy;
324 coworkers responded to the survey (as of January 2018). By
means of descriptive statistics and econometric analyses, the
paper discusses some of the main factors affecting CWs’
perceived well-being: social proximity and sense of community
(trust and new friendship), organizational proximity, and the
positive effects of CSs on the urban context; on the other hand,
gender, educational level, age and revenues growth do not show
any impact. The paper concludes by suggesting possible policy
implications and introducing further research lines
Tourism gentrification in Mediterranean heritage cities. The necessity for multidisciplinary planning
No full textArrivals by international tourists have nearly doubled in the first two decades of the 21st century. Some urban areas have not been well-equipped to deal with the economic, social, and cultural effects of this process, such as overcrowding and tourism gentrification that leads to the transformation of residential neighbourhoods. This paper follows a two-fold aim: (i) to examine the relationship between urban planning and tourism development in three World Heritage Sites along the Mediterranean Sea, Kotor (in Montenegro), Dubrovnik (in Croatia) and Venice (in Italy), which face issues of overcrowding; (ii) to identify the origins of issues that tourism is imposing on urban functions with respect to each case, in order to set the basis of targets in need and to a propose practical framework for tailored policies open to the needs of the local community. The findings show that although the tourism industry plays a key role in the economy of all cases, it imposes significant externalities at the local level
A systematic literature review of the effects of coworking spaces on the socio-cultural and economic conditions in peripheral and rural areas
No full textPurpose – The literature on coworking spaces (CSs) is growing fast; notably, this topic has attracted a wide
range of contributions from various disciplines during the past years. Although CSs first appeared in major
cities, small towns and rural areas are also becoming attractive.To date, no literature review has systematically
studied the effects of such collaborative-flexible new working spaces proliferating in non-urban areas.
Therefore, this paper aims to present a systematic literature review about the effects of coworking spaces
located in peripheral and rural areas.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodological approach is based on the Preferred Reporting Items
for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, also known as PRISMA. Following the PRISMA checklist items,
this study provides different aspects and identifies indicators from various cross-studies published in 10 years
(2011–2021).
Findings – Results showthat, in the past decade, Europe has recorded the highest number of publications on
the topic of coworking spaces (CSs); themain research focus was on spatial planning. CSs foster communities
of specialized and high-skilled workers, attract businesses and venture capitalists and may accelerate urban
revitalisation processes. The regeneration of spaces can positively affect the value of commercial
properties in the vicinity and attract developers. Moreover, by establishing communities and networks
beyond the working life, coworking was found to reduce depopulation and even foster the influx of
non-urban areas.
Practical implications – The findings of this study can be transferred to policymakers to be considered in
designing tailored policies in non-urban areas and also places-that-don’t matter.
Originality/value – By date, this study is the first attempt to conduct a systematic review of the literature on
the effects of coworking spaces in peripheral and rural areas. This is important since this typology of flexiblecollaborative
working space is gaining public attention, especially during the pandemic and the development of
such spaces in non-urban areas.
Keywords Coworking spaces, Peripheral areas, Rural areas, Peripheral real estate markets, PRISMA,
Systematic literature review
Paper type Research pape
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