Co-working office spaces in Sydney: Spatiotemporal dynamics and industry patterns

Co-working spaces have emerged as cost-effective office space management solutions for workers from diverse industries who share space, which generates cost savings and facilitates networking opportunities. Past studies have mainly focused on needs for and benefits of co-working spaces and range in emphasis from design preferences to potential social and economic impacts. However, limited attention has been given to the temporal clustering and geographical distribution patterns of co-working spaces. This study examines the spatial distribution patterns of co-working spaces establishments in terms of building floor plans. We discern the subcategory of ‘co-working office space’ from the floor space and employment survey data, spanning 2007, 2012, and 2017 as collected by the City of Sydney, a municipal government in Australia. Both co-working offices offered by conventional enterprises and co-working providers are identified, and the spatial associations between co-working spaces and their relationships with industry composition are analysed. Using establishment analysis, three co-working spaces are identified: (1) dedicated co-working enterprises providing office service and well-design spaces; (2) conventional office rental enterprises diversifying into co-working style office; and (3) standard enterprises converting fixed office spaces to co-working office configurations. The spatial analysis reveals an outward diffusion of co-working spaces from the centre of Sydney CBD, which is of importance in geographical research focused on urban, social, and economic change.