Impacts of the built environment on remote work choices and preferences

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, work patterns shifted dramatically, leading to a surge in remote work. While research has explored various personal and familial factors affecting remote work, the impact of the built environment remains under-examined. This study fills the gap of limited geographic scope, sample size and time span by investigating how the built environment influences remote work using a comprehensive U.S. national survey dataset collected over nearly two years, combined with built environment data from survey respondents’ locations. Applying Poisson regression models, we find that remote work frequency and preference are significantly affected by commute time, distance to the city center, building density, road network density, and the availability of local amenities. Individuals with longer commutes and more amenities—such as retail stores, entertainment venues, and parks—are more likely to work remotely. Conversely, those in areas with better transport facilities tend to work onsite. The results present new empirical evidence on how built environment effects remote work choices and preferences. Moreover, this research provides policymakers with insights into creating environments that support remote work, potentially reducing commuting burdens and enhancing work-life balance. Such changes could help address urban challenges like work-residence imbalances, long commutes, and traffic congestion.