ABSTRACT
The chapter looks critically into how new working spaces, particularly coworking spaces (CSs), have been understood and conceptualized by European policymakers. Starting from the diversity of definitions and policy discussions in the last twenty years, this chapter reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures targeting CSs. It responds to a general question about the ability of public policies to consider, support, and strengthen the emergence and spread of new work areas with a specific focus on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the EU has supported general measures aimed at economic recovery during and after the pandemic crisis, such policies do not focus on working spaces. On the contrary, specific measures on the local and regional levels show greater awareness of the potential of supporting new working spaces, thus facilitating the transition towards novel forms of work organization in urban and rural territories.
