The importance of location for coworking spaces and the timed city concept, experiences, perceptions, and reality in Malta

Abstract

In this chapter we aim to unravel the importance of the link between three themes: location, Coworking Spaces (CSs), and the timed city concept. We argue that location, CSs, and timed cities are interdependent and complement each other. To do this, we use Malta as a case study, a small high densely populated, car dependent island state that has only been exposed to CSs in the previous decade. To support our argument, we conducted semi-structured interviews with two CS owners, four traditional employers, and an entity representing employers. The former provided their experiences of having CSs in Malta and the latter two discussed their perceptions of CSs. The reality and the importance of location are represented through Geographic Information Systems, by which we analyzed walkable areas within the catchment of the CSs. The findings highlight that location unravels the importance of micro-geography in the context of an island state when considering the applicability of CSs and the timed city concept. Furthermore, the research resonates with the literature with regard to issues associated with mobility, accessibility, job type, and peripherality.