The promise and perils of coworking in residential areas: a systematic review of health and community impacts

• Date: 30 April 2024
• Pages: 156-174
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2023-0069
• Published date: 30 April 2024
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Healthcare management,HR & organizational behaviour,Human resource policy,Employee welfare
• Author: Thomas Vogl,Marko Orel

The promise and perils of

coworking in residential areas:

a systematic review of health

and community impacts

Thomas Vogl

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,

Built Environment-Management-Institute, Bauhaus-Universit€

at Weimar,

Weimar, Germany, and

Marko Orel

Faculty of Business Administration, Center for Workplace Research,

Prague University of Economics and Business, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Purpose –This study aims to explore the manifold implications –health, environmental and economic –of

integrating coworking spaces (CSs) into residential settings. The research emphasizes the health-related

potential and connected benefits of situating these contemporary spaces of work in retrofitted buildings.

Design/methodology/approach –The research highlights the potential of retrofitted buildings –owing to

their urban locations, existing infrastructure, and available space –to accommodate CSs. Employing the

preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology, the paper

systematically reviews literature from 2010 to 2021. It investigates the influence of residential CSs on health,

community cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Findings –The results indicate that integrating CSs within residential areas can significantly enhance user

wellbeing, create a healthier residential environment and positively impact the broader community. Retrofitted

buildings emerge as optimal venues for CSs due to their urban positioning and potential to contribute to users’

physical, mental and social health. However, the strategic (re)use of retrofitted buildings is crucial, alongside

planning to address potential downsides like gentrification.

Research limitations/implications –The study is based on a literature review and may not fully capture

the specificities of certain regional or local conditions that could affect the health benefits associated with CSs.

In addition to that, the study primarily references European-centric research between 2010 and 2021, indicating

a need for more diverse geographic and cultural studies. Further empirical studies are needed to validate the

findings behind the following study.

Practical implications –The findings of this study can guide urban planners, policymakers and architects

in assessing the feasibility of converting residential buildings into CSs and planning relevant activities. They

can leverage the potential health benefits to promote CSs and encourage healthier lifestyle practices in

residential communities.

Social implications –Introducing CSs in residential areas can lead to reduced commuting stress,

opportunities for physical activities and social interactions, and healthier lifestyle practices. These benefits can

enhance the overall well-being of individuals and communities, fostering a stronger social fabric in urban

settings.

Originality/value –This research is novel in examining the health benefits associatedwith CSs in residential

areas and the role of retrofitted buildings in promoting such advantages.

Keywords Coworking, Residential areas, Health, Collaborative work, Wellbeing

Paper type Research paper

1. Introduction

Coworking, as a contemporary work model, first emerged in 2005 when software engineer

Brad Neuberg sought to blend the autonomy of independent entrepreneurship with the

collaborative benefits of a shared working environment (Orel and Bennis, 2021). Since then,

IJWHM

17,2

156

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

https://www.emerald.com/insight/1753-8351.htm

Received 26 May 2023

Revised 16 August 2023

13 January 2024

19 January 2024

Accepted 22 January 2024

InternationalJournal of Workplace

Health Management

Vol. 17 No. 2, 2024

pp. 156-174

© Emerald Publishing Limited

1753-8351

DOI 10.1108/IJWHM-05-2023-0069

coworking spaces (CSs) have seen a surge in popularity, providing a platform for creativity,

professionalism and health-conscious work practices for millions of professionals globally

(Bouncken and Aslam, 2019;Yang et al., 2019).

From a design perspective, CSs typically feature open-plan workspaces, private areas and

communal spacesmanaged by coworking providers or proprietors(Mayerhoffer, 2021). These

environmentspromote collaboration, stimulate inspiration,productivity and innovation while

alsoconsidering the healthand wellbeing of usersby providing ergonomicfurniture, promoting

physical activities and enabling mental health support (Sankari et al., 2018;Bouncken et al.,

2020;Orel and Dvoulet

y, 2020). Beyond individual benefits, research indicates that CSs have

wider societal impacts. They can revitalize urban areas, create jobs, and repurpose unused

structures (Tuvani and Durante, 2018). Moreover, CSs can instigate cultural shifts, mitigate

gender inequality in decision-making processes, and foster community engagement through

community gardens or art projects (Merkel, 2017). These endeavors can potentially improve

genderdiversity and financialperformance in housing(Schrand et al., 2018). CSs have also been

found to reducesocial isolation among knowledgeworkers by fostering a sense of community

and enhancingproductivity through sharedexperiences, thereby promoting workplacehealth

and wellbeing (Vogl et al., 2024). The “Cohome”or “Hoffice”concept –coworking in residential

spaces –has shown a boost in productivity and social interaction among users, and

importantly, allows for a healthier work-life balance and reduces commuting-related stress

(Reuschke et al., 2021). Consequently,major housing companies in Germany are exploring the

coworking concept and testing business opportunities (Immobilienzeitung, 2023a). Moreover,

besides CSs, Coliving concepts that combine living and working are gaining more and more

users, as the full occupancy of The Bases 320 apartments in Berlin shows

(Immobilienzeitung, 2023b).

Despite the potential benefits, the interplay between CSs, residential areas and workplace

health remains relatively unexplored, as indicated by Yu et al. (2019). To fill this research gap,

this paper presents a systematic literature review examining the impact of CSs on residential

areas, existing residential buildings and their residents, with a focus on health benefits. We

employ the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA)

method for this review and analysis of the existing literature (PRISMA, 2022). Given the

significant changes in mobility patterns and CS designs during the COVID-19 pandemic and

subsequent lockdowns, as described by H€

olzel and Vogl (2023), studies selected for this

review are limited to those conducted up to 2021. This cutoff is chosen under the assumption

that these studies primarily predate the extensive and impactful lockdown periods of

that year.

Amidst the current era focused on adaptable work settings and the pursuit of enhanced

harmony between job and personal life, it is necessary to comprehend the intersection of

residential living and CSs. The proliferation of CSs within residential environments is not merely

a trend but an embodiment of a modern-day work paradigm. This paper doesn’t merely aim to

identify a gap in literature; it strives to shed light on the profound implications such a merger of

work and home life has on communities, urban planning, mental health and the broader

economic canvas. Delving into this topic is crucial because the future of urban living might very

well be influenced by how we integrate knowledge work into homes and neighborhoods. With

that said, the insights derived from this review will be valuable for housing stakeholders, urban

planners and policymakers as they shape policies to rejuvenate residential buildings and areas in

response to evolving work demands while promoting healthy work practices. The paper is

structured into four sections. Following this introduction, the methodology used is detailed. The

third section presents the findings and addresses the research questions. The final section

summarizes the main conclusions and rounds potential avenues for future research.

Coworking

spaces in

residential

areas

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