Lifestyle cities, remote work and implications for urban planning. Issue 1 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zenkteler, Matthew; Foth, Marcus; Hearn, Gregory
• Is Part Of: Australian planner. Volume 58:Issue 1/2(2022)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Remote work -- urban planning -- knowledge economy; Regional planning -- Australia -- Periodicals; City planning -- Australia -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Australia -- Periodicals; Land use -- Planning -- Periodicals; 307.120994
• DOI: 10.1080/07293682.2022.2096086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0729-3682

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Australia's cities and regions are the envy of the world for their natural beauty and lifestyle amenities and attractions. Not only has this sustained the tree-change and sea-change movement, with broadband connectivity and the COVID-19 pandemic so-called 'e-changers' and 'flee-changers' are part of the populus seeking to combine career aspirations with lifestyle destinations. This paper discusses the growing popularity of remote, particularly home-based work, and planning and design responses that accommodate this type of work in residential neighbourhoods. The issues are exemplified through a case study of the City of Gold Coast drawing on mixed methods including survey instruments and a design charrette facilitated by the authors. The design charrette is reported via three integrative narratives of a remote worker, the neighbourhood and the city. Findings outline preferences of remote workers towards built environment and urban design features enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange and assist in a better understanding of the socio-economic factors behind the spatial distribution of home-based work. The study's findings offer a range of implications for appropriate urban planning and design responses.