The Impacts of Remote Work on Residential Space: A Review on Relocation, Multilocality, and Spatial Inequality

Riku Reunamäki, Veronique Van Acker and Olle Järv
Additional contact information
Riku Reunamäki: Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Finland
Veronique Van Acker: Urban Development and Mobility Department, Luxembourg Institute of Socio‐Economic Research (LISER), Luxembourg / Department of Geography, Ghent University, Belgium
Olle Järv: Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Finland / Department of Geography, University of Tartu, Estonia

Social Inclusion, 2026, vol. 14

Abstract: Remote work has emerged as one of the more consequential transformations in contemporary society, with far‐reaching implications that extend beyond the organisation of work itself. One of its most profound, yet still insufficiently understood, consequences concerns residential space. By redefining the traditional spatial coupling between workplace and home, remote work offers many individuals greater freedom in choosing where to live, thereby having the potential to reshape residential location decisions. At the same time, remote work does not necessarily lead to permanent relocation; instead, it may encourage more flexible and fragmented residential strategies such as multilocal living—living and spending time in more than one dwelling. However, since remote work is not possible in every occupation, it can also potentially exacerbate socio‐spatial inequalities, both temporary and permanent, in cities and rural regions. In this systematic literature review, based on 33 articles, we examine the impacts of remote work on residential space and its implications for spatial inequality. First, we provide a meta‐analysis of where, when, and how the impacts of remote work on residential space have been studied over the past decade, focusing on three literature streams: residential relocation, multilocal living, and spatial inequality. We then summarise the main findings regarding these impacts, and through synthesising the existing literature, highlight issues that are currently missing from the three research streams. Finally, we suggest avenues for future research aimed at addressing the existing knowledge gaps at the nexus between remote work and residential space, which clearly remains understudied to date.

Keywords: multilocal living; remote work; residential relocation; residential space; spatial inequality; systematic literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/11664 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:socinc:v14:y:2026:a:11664

DOI: 10.17645/si.11664

Access Statistics for this article

Social Inclusion is currently edited by Mariana Pires

More articles in Social Inclusion from Cogitatio Press
Bibliographic data for series maintained by António Vieira () and IT Department ().