Winning spatial solutions for future work;
Enabling the double twin transition of digital/green and virtual physical, transforming our societies by 2035

Due to digitalisation, an increasing number of future ‘digital’ workers will be able to work wherever they prefer. This development does not diminish the importance of the characteristics of the physical spaces (e.g. the size, layout, type, and  location) but, on the contrary, emphasizes their role. The spatial solutions will impact the performance and wellbeing of workers, but have also significant direct and indirect environmental impacts as it influences how we e.g. use spaces, commute, consume and spend leisure time. Hence there is an urgent need to maximise the potential that digital remote working can provide to reach Finland’s carbon-neutrality goal by 2035. However, challenges include the current unsuitability of the Finnish housing stock, while workplace strategies may lead to negative consequences such as inequality and inability to respond to future work-life requirements. The aim of this study is to increase understanding about the environmental and social impacts and challenges of digital remote work, and provide winning spatial solutions and strategy, policy and management recommendations for different types of organizations and individuals to empower them to support the double twin transition of digital/green and virtual/physical. This study brings together a unique team of researchers and methods from fields of spatial and land use planning, housing design, architecture, facility management, urban physics and environmental health, real estate, and futures studies.

ASUTUT lead WP2 (514 000€):
New spatial and land-use concepts for digital working futures that focuses on the spatial and social implications of working from home / remote working, including associated inequalities and the testing of new living environment solutions with stakeholders through virtual reality models.