Exploring the Momentum of Coworking in –Mainly European– Rural Areas through Social Media Narratives

Resumo

Coworking spaces (CSs) have experienced an unprecedented expansion since the increase of remote working caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With many studies focused on the phenomenon in urban areas, little attention is given to rural territories. This article draws attention to those regions through a social media content analysis. It identifies the main actors leading the conversations about rural CSs such as networks and platforms, academia, and entrepreneurs, mainly located in the European Union countries. Moreover, it determines their most relevant interests, highlighting regional development and population movements, effects on the housing market, economic development, community building, innovation and digitalisation, and sustainability. Knowing better which actors promote CSs in rural territories and what their interests and needs are, can be especially useful for administrations to help develop practices that generate more sustainability in these spaces.