Location-Independent Work - Opportunities and Risks for Different Types of Cities

Tasks

With the corona pandemic, both the extent to which people worked from home and the scientific reflection on the topic have changed. An increasing number of people working from home will not only affect circular mobility, but also change preferences for the residence in the medium term - with corresponding effects on the functional differentiation and use of space in both urban and rural areas.

The aim of the study is to provide empirical evidence of various theses about working from home through secondary analyses. In addition to the qualitative description, a quantitative assessment is made and its overall effect is described.

For example, the following questions are examined for this purpose:

• Will working within one's own four walls lead to an increased focus on the local area, so that shopping trips or other everyday errands will increasingly take place in the living environment?
• Will rents for commercial space (shops, offices) in the cities stagnate or fall due to lower demand?
• Will the demand for larger appartments increase since not every apartment is suitable for the "home office"?
• Will the reduced number of commuters lead to a drop in demand for higher-value public transport tickets (season tickets)?

Methods

Theoretical assessment with literature analysis (national and international), empirical assessment with literature analysis (national and international), scenario creation and derivation of recommendations for action according to sub-areas.

Data and other sources

MOBICOR project, geodatabases from infas360, company database from infas 360, corona data platform, local supply index from infas and infas 360, nationwide index on the regional quality of life from infas 360, Google mobility reports, German Federal Statistical Office, expert interviews, expert discussions.