Instigating Rebound Effects of Telework and Its Implications on Cities

The use of ICT has allowed flexibility in work practices, which has led to an increase in telework in recent years. This trend was greatly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite telework's potential to decrease traffic congestion and lower emissions, some research indicated the rebound effects of telework. These rebound effects highlight the complex relationships between teleworking, daily and residential mobility, and these potentially threaten the liveability of cities.
Furthermore, residents and cross-border workers may experience different rebound effects from the complexities of a border region, such as in the Greater region of Luxembourg. Due to social security laws and taxation differences, residents may have more telework options than cross-border workers. Therefore, the cross-border workers might not face similar rebound effects compared to residents. This study will address three gaps in current knowledge that highlight the need for a deeper look into the impact of telework. Firstly, previous studies did not provide insights into the spatial-temporal fragmentation of telework activities. Secondly, studies often neglect how households with dual-earners who have different telework practices make decisions about residential relocations. Lastly, more attention needs to be given to how telework influences workplace relocation, adding complexity to how telework affects daily travel and residential preferences.
By addressing these three research gaps, this study aims to understand better the rebound effects of telework in terms of fragmentation of activities and travel patterns resulting from telework. The study will examine how teleworking affects daily activities and mobility by integrating GPS tracking and time-use data using the MOTUS app. In-depth interviews with dualearner households will explore the intricacies of workplace and residential relocation in various telework scenarios. Using a prospective approach, these interviews aim to gain deeper insights into factors shaping future relocation of residence and workplace within a telework framework. Ultimately, this research will help policymakers and practitioners better understand the potential rebound effects of telework, facilitating more efficient urban planning and sustainable city development.