Teleworking and Urban Transformation: A Bibliometric Review of Emerging Themes, Gaps, and Policy Implications

Document Type : Articles from PhD & Master Dissertations

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Urbanism, School of Architecture, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Urbanism, School of Architecture, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Teleworking has emerged as a structural transformation with far-reaching implications for urban systems, fundamentally reshaping mobility patterns, residential preferences, and spatial planning frameworks. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 529 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science database, aiming to map the evolution of knowledge production at the intersection of teleworking and urban development. Employing co-word, co-citation, and co-authorship analyses through the VOSviewer software, the research identifies key thematic clusters, foundational intellectual structures, and global collaboration networks. The results revealed a thematic progression from early emphases on transportation and commute reduction toward broader considerations such as housing flexibility, digital infrastructure, spatial equity, and the resilience of post-pandemic cities. Key areas, including gender disparities, digital exclusion, and the reconfiguration of domestic space, have yet to receive sufficient scholarly focus. Furthermore, the analysis of co-authorship networks indicates weak global research connectivity, highlighting the need for stronger international and interdisciplinary collaborations. This study not only maps the current landscape of teleworking-related urban research but also emphasizes emerging gaps and future research directions. Its findings offer actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and academics, advocating for more inclusive, participatory, and cross-sectoral approaches to understanding the socio-spatial implications of evolving work arrangements in a rapidly changing urban world.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Urban Structure and Function Studies
Volume 13, Issue 3
September 2026
Pages 57-81

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  • Receive Date: 22 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 15 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 June 2026

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