The Future of Work depends on the Liveability of Cities
The workplace is changing. The rise of remote work and hybrid work arrangements has led to a rethinking of how and where people work. This has implications for the liveability of cities.
Great Adaptations: The 2023 Workplace Futures Survey, a recent report by the Workplace Research team at leading international design practice Hassell found that one of the most important factors in attracting and retaining employees is a vibrant city.
A vibrant city is one that is full of life and activity. It has a variety of amenities and attractions that make it a desirable place to live and work. These amenities include things like good restaurants, bars, shops, parks, and cultural attractions. A vibrant city also has a strong sense of community and an energetic cultural scene.
A liveable city is one that is conducive to a good quality of life. It has a safe and healthy environment, good public transportation, and affordable housing. A liveable city also has a strong economy and a diverse range of jobs. The relationship between a vibrant city and a liveable city is complex. However, there are some clear connections. For example, a vibrant city is more likely to have a strong economy, which can lead to more jobs and higher wages. A vibrant city is also more likely to have a diverse range of amenities and attractions, which can make it a more desirable place to live and work.
By taking steps to create a more vibrant city, we can also make it a more liveable city for everyone. By creating a city that is full of life and activity, but also safe, healthy, and affordable, we can create a place where everyone can thrive.
The report by Hassell found that the quality of the urban environment is just as important as any amenity that could be stuck inside a building. When people visit an office, they tend to link it with other trips they would have otherwise made. So, a vibrant city with a lot to offer its residents can make the office more attractive and help to improve employee satisfaction.
Our research into creating more desirable work environments has recently found similar results. We found that cities where residents have a higher proximity to work are more liveable and have lower office vacancy rates. This suggests that there is a strong relationship between the liveability of a city and the ability to better occupy office spaces.
The future of work is likely to be more flexible and less tied to a specific location and this will have implications for the liveability of cities. More liveable cities with a higher concentration of jobs and amenities - where residents have a higher proximity to work - will be more attractive to businesses and employees, while less liveable cities may struggle to compete.
Hassell's research focuses on the role of the city in supporting the workplace. We think the workplace plays a big role in helping restructure the city to become a more liveable place. By ensuring workers have access to workspaces within greater proximity of their homes, offices can become a strategic tool that benefits people, organisations and the places they inhabit.
Here are some specific ways that offices can help to make cities more liveable:
Locate offices in mixed-use developments that are close to amenities and public transportation.
Provide flexible workspaces that can accommodate different work styles and needs.
Promote walking, biking, and public transportation by providing onsite amenities and incentives.
Support local businesses by encouraging employees to shop and eat locally.
By taking these steps, organisations can be more effective in designing future workplace strategies and help to create more liveable cities that are better for people, businesses, and the environment.
You can view NearU’s full report here:
https://thefutureof.world/ideas/creating-desirable-work-environments-through-proximity-to-work
You can view Hassell’s full report here:
https://www.hassellstudio.com/research/great-adaptations-2023-workplace-futures-survey