The Rise of Coworking Spaces in Rural Areas: Promoting Flexibility and Revitalizing Communities

© Adobe Stock/Good Studio Flexible workspaces are also becoming more popular in rural areas.

Even before the pandemic, coworking spaces were very popular in Styria, especially in urban areas. The major cuts of recent years, the accelerated changes in the world of work – the concept as a way of using spaces flexibly as needed received further impetus. Even away from the city.

This is confirmed by a survey of coworking spaces in Europe conducted by Deskmag in 2020. Compared to the time before the pandemic, 92 percent of those surveyed said that working close to home will continue to become more important. In fact, more and more companies are opting for home office – at the same time, it has become clear in recent years how important social exchange, a suitable working environment and the right infrastructure are.

“Since coworking has been an issue in the city for some time, we wanted to try it in the country as well – there are already a few of them,” says Nicole Hütter from the Weiz-Gleisdorf energy region. The LEADER region started a project in February 2022 and assessed the needs in a total of 13 communities. “The interest is there – even if it differs somewhat from urban space. While the spaces in Graz are mainly used by start-ups and the creative industries, there are some carpenters who need office space on a daily basis, but also people who want a better infrastructure for their home office,” she explains. Two new coworking spaces have already been created as part of the project – in Weiz (here they started fresh at the beginning of July) and in Passail. Spaces are also likely to follow in other communities.

“For communities, coworking is particularly interesting for eliminating vacancies and revitalizing the town center,” emphasizes Wolfgang Berger, manager of the LAG Zeitkultur Oststeirisches Kernland. “In Kaindorf there was an old tailor’s shop, a listed building that stood empty. Now there are flexible workplaces for the general public – that’s also good for the center.” The project is supported by the municipality, coordinator Jochen Massing explains: “The space has been very well received. So far, seven companies from a wide variety of sectors have rented.”

Ultimately, coworking is an important way of promoting the regional economy, according to Berger: “Young companies are given the opportunity to stay in the region – and not have to move to the city.” Hütter also emphasizes: “It’s about opening up local opportunities create, so fewer people have to commute.”

© KK Wolfgang Berger

“Coworking spaces enable young companies to build up something in the region – and not to have to settle in the city.”Wolfgang Berger, Manager Zeitkultur Oststeirisches Kernland

Fritz Prem, who uses the space in Kaindorf with his Öko-Mobil company, can confirm this. “For us, as a young company specializing in electric cargo bikes, this is a good option for keeping our administration lean.” The on-site employees also benefit from the dynamic environment and the social network. A clear advantage of the location: “We had already thought about looking elsewhere – but thanks to this opportunity we stayed and are satisfied,” says Prem.

According to the study, 4.99 million people will use coworking globally by 2024. There are officially 6,135 coworking spaces in Europe. But there could be a lot more.

The trend continues, as the numbers show. Coworking Insights recorded 6,135 coworking spaces in Europe in 2022 – in 2020 it was 5,858. In fact, there might be many more. The analysis refers to the largest platform Coworker.com – which lists a total of 17 such jobs for Styria. In the course of our research, however, we were able to find 48 spaces (see below) (twelve more than in 2019). A lot has happened, especially in rural areas – from coworking in nature in the Gesäuse to new ideas such as a mobile space that the LAG Zeitkultur Oststeirisches Kernland is working on. The real estate developer ZOWN is also opening a new space in the middle of the city in Bad Radkersburg.

In order to take account of the dynamics, we want to constantly expand the list below. Know of a coworking space that isn’t included yet? Write to us at [email protected] – and we will add the web version.

© Stadtgemeinde Weiz Coworking – new in the middle of Weiz © FotoGlick Stibor There is also a space in Passail. © Sabrina Rauch Zown Space in Bad Radkersburg

Coworking-Spaces in der Steiermark

AULA city Graz, Mariahilfer Strasse 1, www.aula.spaceAULA up Leoben, Erzherzog-Johann-Strasse 9, www.aula.spaceAVbaby, Graz, Puchstraße 41, avbabyfilm.com/coworking-spaceBlahBlah, Graz, Lagergasse 57a, www.blahblah.zoneBSX Schmölzer GmbH, Graz, www.bsx.at/werk-27-kreativparkBüRoSe am Lend, Graz, Lendplatz 41, www.buerose.atCasa Ananda Co-Working Mutspace, Graz, www.casa-ananda.atCOCON Co-Working Space, Graz, www.vonundzu.at/coconCO; CREATE WORKSPACE, Graz, www.co-create.atCoworking at Creators’ Corner, Graz, www.premium-coworking.atsignSTUDIOS, Graz, Mandell­straße 6/5, www.signstudios.atCoworking zu Geidorf, Graz, www.coworking-geidorf.atThe Good Office, Graz, Wastiangasse 16, www.das-gute-buero.atThe Lendloft, Graz, Lendplatz 40, www.daslendloft.atFirgun Space, Graz, Färbergasse 6, www.firgun.spaceyellow graz, Hilmgasse 10, www.yellowgraz.at CAN, Graz, Sankt-Georgen Gasse 1, www.kannst.atmapbagrag, Graz, Puchstraße 17, www.mapbagrag.comlab 10, Graz, Strauchergasse 13, www.lab10.atMakerSpace, Graz, Puchstraße 17, www.makerspace.atMRR+, Graz, Volksgartenstraße 18/5, www.mrr.plusONME Co-Working E7, Graz, www.onme.at/co-working-grazPalais am Paulustor offices, Graz, www.palais-am-paulustor.atRarebyte, Graz, Wickenburggasse 32, www.coworking.rarebyte.comRegus City Tower, Graz, Brueckenkopfgasse 1, www.regus.comRegus Smart City, Graz, Waagner-Biro-Strasse 47/1, www.regus.comSackstraße, Graz, Sackstraße 10, www.sackstrasse.atSpaceLend Coworking Graz, Neubaugasse 24, www.spacelend.atSpace Leon, Graz, Krenngasse 12, www.spaceleon.atTanzhaus Graz, Wittekweg 11, www.tanzhausgraz.atUNICORN, Graz, Schubertstraße 6a, www.unicorn.atHG3, Graz, Herrengasse 3, www.raumgeber.gmbhKraxlmaxl, Graz, Hangweg 14, www.kraxlmaxlundco.at/und_coCOMAKERS, Graz, www.comarkes.at (Space opens first).frohnleiten.work, Hauptplatz 9, www.frohnleiten.workSTARTUP 179, Premstaetten, www.shome.at/startup179Cube85 GmbH, Deutschlandsberg, www.cube85.atdas-cowerk, Kindberg, Schrackgasse 9, www.das-cowerk.atGESÄUSE COWORKING, Admont, www.pilum.atCo. Work, Schladming, www.coworking-schladming.atEmma Wanderer, Hieflau, www.emmawanderer.comCoworking-Space Passail, www.starkespassail.atmeinbuero4you, Kaindorf, www.meinbuero4you.atFlexible offices in Pöllau, Pöllau, www.beeex.red/shared-officeHauptplatz 12, Weiz, www.hauptplatz12.atZOWN Co-Working Space, Bad Radkersburg, www.zown.atNew town of Feldbach, Feldbach, www.feldbach.gv.atWerkstrasse 8 Coworking, Krieglach, www.werkstrasse8.at

2023-07-13 07:40:48
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