Elisabete Tomaz (p), Eva Belvončíková , Maria Assunção Gato

Amnon Frenkel

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.

Carles Méndez-Ortega (p), Grzegorz Micek, Thomas Vogl

Elisabete Tomaz

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of urban and rural coworking space placement in Bavaria, Germany, with a specific focus on their proximity to knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) in the post-COVID era. Leveraging post-COVID economic activity data and spatial distribution information of coworking spaces, we employ K-density functions to unveil distinct patterns of coworking space placement and identify concentrations in both urban and rural areas. The Bavarian region serves as a unique backdrop for this study, characterized by diverse economic activities and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the working landscape, elevating the significance of coworking spaces, particularly for KIBS enterprises. Our findings highlight that urban areas exhibit denser clustering of coworking spaces, closely aligned with KIBS entities, while rural regions display a more scattered distribution. These results provide valuable insights into the evolving nature of workspace utilization and its implications for regions with a high concentration of KIBS firms in the post-COVID context. This research contributes to the understanding of the spatial dynamics of coworking spaces in urban and rural settings, offering valuable information for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and urban planners aiming to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship in the KIBS-intensive regions of Bavaria, Germany.

Amnon Frenkel (p), Tsipy Buchnik

Carles Méndez-Ortega

Coworking spaces represent new concept of "all-inclusive" work environments. They feature aesthetic design, adorned with unique elements to cultivate an open, youthful, and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to physical office areas, coworking spaces offer office services, social amenities, and various other facilities. The demand for coworking spaces surged post the 2008 financial crisis, driven by a rise in freelancers and entrepreneurs. This trend was further propelled by cultural and technological advancements facilitating remote work, irrespective of location or time.
The establishment of a community within a collaborative workspace is a key characteristic of such environments. Recent literature suggests that collaborative workspaces facilitate interactions among diverse colleagues, enhancing productivity, fostering collaborations, and encouraging knowledge exchange. Individuals (coworkers) utilizing these workspaces are keen on establishing connections, promoting collaborations, and sharing knowledge.
This study delves into the phenomenon of co-working spaces in Tel Aviv, aiming to explore the nature and extent of collaborations within these collaborative workspaces. Conducted in Tel Aviv, the economic and cultural hub of Israel, where the highest concentration of such workspaces is located, the research commenced near the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mapping 44 surviving co-working spaces in the city, a questionnaire was distributed to workers in these spaces. Respondents were queried about the types of collaborations they engage in with businesses or fellow freelancers within the workspace. The study also assessed the workspace's role in facilitating knowledge transfer among colleagues and fostering entrepreneurial activity. Additionally, respondents gauged the impact of both informal (corridor conversations, knowledge sharing, shared meals, etc.) and formal (brainstorming, joint projects, support services, etc.) communication on advancing work or enterprise within the workspace. Analyzing data from 500 collected questionnaires provided insights into employees' perceptions of the workspace's contribution as a conducive work environment.
The research results reveal that a notable percentage (41%) of respondents indicated engaging in diverse forms of formal collaborations with peers within the shared workspace. This finding is pivotal and noteworthy, underscoring the tangible role of coworking spaces in fostering collaborative endeavors.
Roughly half of the coworkers expressed that the coworking space holds a significant or very significant social dimension for them. However, a smaller segment perceives the space as a resource for decision-making or skill acquisition relevant to their professional pursuits. These observations align with responses from approximately half of the participants who indicated that formal communication plays little to no role in advancing their work or venture.