Urban and social regeneration: coworking Gottifredo case study

Abstract

Purpose The research analyses the role of coworking spaces in urban and social regeneration. The purpose of this study is to investigate how coworking can integrate environmental sustainability, social cohesion and economic innovation, positioning itself as a driver of circular economy practices and sustainable local development. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on three focus groups conducted at Coworking Gottifredo in Alatri (Italy). The investigation explored coworkers’ perceptions of the space as a catalyst for social innovation, collaboration and community participation. The qualitative approach allowed for a deeper understanding of users’ experiences and of the relational and cultural dynamics that characterise coworking as a social ecosystem. Findings The results show that Coworking Gottifredo operates as a community-based ecosystem integrating entrepreneurial, cultural and social dimensions. It fosters the creation of social capital, learning within communities of practice and the shared creation of value. In the case analysed, coworking emerges as a potential catalyst for the regeneration of peripheral urban areas, when supported by local networks and participatory forms of governance. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by examining a coworking case in a small urban context, interpreted within a regenerative and sustainability-oriented framework. Coworking spaces are presented as laboratories of social innovation and territorial resilience, capable of supporting the twin ecological and digital transition through participatory practices and community-based governance models.