The Meaning of The Coworking Model in Urban Design
Coworking broke the rules
Author: Yihan He
Introduction
The idea of work has undergone a considerable alteration in the fast-paced and high-technic developed, globally linked world of today closely. Innovative workplaces that promote community, flexibility, and collaboration are progressively replacing traditional office settings. The expansion of coworking spaces, which have risen dramatically in popularity in recent years. This blog highlights the potential of coworking spaces to influence and improve our cities by examining their relevance in the context of urban design.
A Case for Coworking from Sean Fedorko in New York in TED
Sean Fedorko was an independent professional consultant and he wanted a place to work out of work and try to find a plug to continue his work. Co-working space came up and satisfied his requirement. There were 4.3 million people who are independently employed in UK. People who work independently need a collaborative environment to work together. It is better than working alone because of the atmosphere.
The transforming of work spaces
Working in different environment will affect people’s efficiency. I think the coworking model suits for gig economy mainly. And work patterns have changed as a result of the emergence of the gig economy and the digital era. To adapt this situation, coworking spaces created many functional spaces, giving freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote employees a shared location to work, connect with others, and communicate. Coworking spaces, according to research by Büchs and Dunford （2019） provide advantages which includes higher productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction as well as chances for information sharing and skill-sharing.
Enhance Urban connectivity
Actually, coworking is connected to urban area. It can improve urban connectivity which includes the enhancement of accessibility and connection when the coworking spaces are located inside the metropolitan area. Hive’s projects in New York City and London serve as practical examples of how integrating coworking spaces into mixed-use buildings can revitalize urban neighborhoods and stimulate economic development. In the end, it will increase the thriving of the development, sustainable development in the region or a city.
Figure 1: Hive website, cover.The Hive (hiveoffice.com)
Reconnect relationship between people and people
We seldom have communication with unfamiliar people, even we live nearby. I think it’s because we have different lifestyle and various jobs which has no intersection. Coworking space gathered people who have different backgrounds and different ideas, forming a teamwork sometimes. It will reconnect close relationship and engender the trust again.
Recent project in APL8014 related to coworking
As we know, Ouseburn always has a weak issue which is lack of some connected factors. And I just thought about the coworking, this idea, which can integrate people who comes from different areas. I even want to connect teenagers who live nearby so that it can revitalize this community. Here is the model.
Photography 2, Model in APL8014, Community shared with working people and teenager, self-made by Yihan He (Jason)
Conclusion
Coworking model has changed the way when we work, communicate and interact in different cities. It has become a vital part of the urban landscape. Urban planners, decision-makers, and developers must acknowledge the potential of coworking spaces to contribute to dynamic and sustainable urban settings as this movement continues to gain traction. But it’s also important to deal with issues like making sure things are affordable, encouraging inclusion, and reducing their negative effects on the environment. We can leverage the revolutionary potential of coworking spaces to build cities that thrive on collaboration, creativity, and well-being by strategically integrating these spaces, encouraging diverse populations, and adopting sustainable methods.
Reference
- TEDx Talks (2016) A Case for Coworking | Sean Fedorko | TEDxErie. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIjyrKZVSL4.
- Büchs, M., & Dunford, M. (2019). The rise of the urban entrepreneur: The role of coworking spaces in urban entrepreneurship. European Planning Studies, 27(10), 1978-1996.
- HiVE Vancouver (2020) HiVE Coworking Space – Virtual Tour. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNlozmDZn5Y.
