ABSTRACT
If more widespread telework is to bring benefits to urban areas, an important role must be played by city planners. A strong planning approach is required here because, without deliberate attention to broader social objectives, the potential benefits of telework are too often realised only by private individuals and corporations. A planner’s fundamental responsibility, in contrast, is to identify long-term goals for a city and the steps needed to achieve them (Bettman 1928). Planners seek to maximise the efficient use of public resources, reduce the inequalities of imperfect market competition for public goods and services and provide forums for broadening public discussion of policy choices. Hence planners have an important and fundamental interest in helping cities plan for the potentially profound effects that this new information technology could have on the quality of urban life and work.
