Research project The pandemic changed work patterns for jobs that do not require a physical presence at a fixed workplace. This project examines how second homes and rural areas with good internet and scenic surroundings have become new hubs for remote work, known as "Zoomtowns." Here, multilocal residents present challenges for population statistics and tax systems, which are traditionally based on households residing in a single, fixed location.
A consequence of the pandemic was a widespread practice of remote work within certain groups, enabling new patterns where rural second homes became key for flexible jobs. This project explores shifts in mobility and the impact on "Zoomtowns" as multilocal remote workers are drawn to areas with good internet and natural amenities. These residents contribute economically but often lack registration in local statistics, challenging a tax system based on fixed residency. The study leverages mobile phone data, public statistics, and interviews with local officials.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought a wave of digital remote work that allowed many people to work from home, far from their regular workplaces. This changed the landscape for tourist destinations with numerous second homes and stable internet connections, and these areas quickly became popular as "Zoomtowns." Zoomtowns are locations where remote workers seek to combine the tranquility of nature with the ability to work digitally, creating temporary and flexible settlement patterns.
This research project at Umeå University is now examining how this new mobility pattern has affected rural second-home areas during and after the pandemic. The project aims to analyse how the rise in remote work has contributed to new multilocal lifestyles, where people live and work in multiple places simultaneously.
A particular challenge for these Zoomtowns is that they often lack registered residents, making them "invisible" in the planning of public services and infrastructure. Since municipalities rarely consider seasonal residents in their planning, a gap arises between the demand for services and resources and the funding municipalities receive.
The project will use anonymized mobile phone data to map how people moved to and from Zoomtowns before, during, and after the pandemic. By combining this data with detailed information on properties, businesses, and population at a micro-level, researchers can assess how Zoomtowns impact, for instance, the property market and local business. Additionally, interviews with local planners and business representatives are planned to gain a deeper understanding of this development.
The results could contribute to more sustainable and equitable planning in future flexible communities and challenge the current tax system, which favors urban areas. The research insights are also expected to enhance understanding of multilocality and how rural areas can adapt to a more mobile and connected world.
