Working from home in Australian cities as a catalyst for place-making?

As more people work from home, the distribution of daytime populations will change across cities. This will lead to some households relocating, as well as a redistribution of the places of congregation and consumption. This paper analyses changes of population distribution based on occupations that can be worked from home, the spatial distribution of the suitability of housing, and access to amenity and services. The method applied is geo-spatial, mapped to local government areas across Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The redistribution of populations indicates a potential rationalisation of CBD environments but also shows opportunities for local governments to embrace middle and outer suburb regeneration, as well as strategic planning opportunities to capitalise on the higher levels of foot-traffic. We argue that with adapted urban planning and design, and if appropriate infrastructure investments are made, then WFH practices are likely to lead to beneficial sustainability and equity outcomes.