The effects of COVID-19 on downtown land use: Evidence from four U.S. cities

This paper investigates trends in downtown real estate and urban responses to real estate demand shifts during the COVID and post-COVID recovery periods for a selection of U.S. downtown areas. It charts the diverging responses of different real estate sectors to the COVID-19 pandemic—and the implications for the spatial allocation of activity across metropolitan areas. Using local data from four major U.S. metro areas, it documents how sustained shifts in rents and vacancy rates are putting pressure on cities to reconsider—and in some cases redefine—the "highest and best use” of much of their downtown real estate assets. After analyzing economic and policy constraints that are hindering responses, it concludes by proposing strategies for how the downtown real estate sector can adapt to the shifting needs of the post-pandemic population. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Urban Affairs is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Remote Work Support Needs of Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Poland: Perspectives of Individuals with Autism and Their Coworkers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With remote work becoming more common across industries, employees with autism may experience different work support needs from neurotypical peers. However, the specific remote work needs of this group of employees are underexplored in the literature. We aim to propose ways to assess workplace digital adaptation needs for individuals with autism and a framework for communicating these needs to employers. METHODS: This qualitative study included interviews with 13 Polish business professionals, including coworkers and/or supervisors of employees with autism (n = 9) and female employees with autism (n = 4), about their remote work support needs. Participants responded to semi-structured interview questions identifying advantages and risk factors associated with remote work for this specific group of employees. RESULTS: Participants reported advantages of remote work, such as limiting sensory overload and intensive interpersonal contacts, indirect interpersonal communications, flexible work hours, and eliminating the need to travel to work. Participants also reported challenges of remote work, such as reducing wanted or helpful social contacts, engaging in direct electronic communications, limiting opportunities to learn from other employees, and managing work-life balance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a need for an autism-inclusive digitalized remote work design customized to the unique needs of employees on the autism spectrum. Business managers would be key partners in the design of autism-inclusive digitalized remote work systems. Additional research is needed with larger and more diverse samples of employees with autism.