Digital urbanism can be a catalyst for revitalising urban areas, in the city, on the fringe and in the region, according to Digital Work Hub Project Coordinator Bronwyn Buksh.
“The developments in communication technology will deeply influence our way of life: the way we communicate, how we work and how we use space in the city,” she told participants at the Urban Design Alliance of Queensland forum in August.
“At the moment we are only seeing the start of these changes. We need to understand the principles of this digital urbanism, if we effectively want to facilitate, design and build smart cities.”
Ms Buksh presented some of the market research undertaken by the Digital Work Hub Project which is examining the feasibility of creating collaborative workspaces in South East Queensland.
“The last two decades have seen some major changes already. For instance, take the way people informally connect in the workplace – in 1990 people connected around the photocopier or a water tap in the office,” she said.
“Now, more and more people work remotely, giving employees the flexibility to combine work with other activities and duties.”
Ms Buksh said work would increasingly become a combination of going to the central office a few days and teleworking – working from home or a remote location such as a Digital Work Hub.
“These collaborative workspaces are equipped with the latest information and telecommunication technology, meeting room facilities, event space, kitchens and cafes. They are curated to connect a diverse community and provide the catalyst to attract complimentary businesses and services to activate urban and regional centres,” she said.
The August forum attracted about 50 town planners, urban designers, architects, landscape architects and students.
Click here for more information about the Digital Work Hub Project.