Activating smart work hubs for urban revitalisation: evidence and implications of digital urbanism for planning and policy from South-East Queensland

© 2015, © 2015 Taylor & Francis. Digital urbanism recasts suburban and regional geographies within national and global urban systems by transforming communities and workplaces. This paper explores the planning and policy implications of activating smart work hubs across South-East Queensland during 2012–2014. It demonstrates key evidence of the nature, approach and priorities of smart work hub projects previously untested in Australia and pioneered by Regional Development Australia. The paper reorientates attention to the networked interplay of agglomeration, collaborative consumption and coworking towards urban revitalisation challenges for suburban and regional development that strengthen local communities: specifically potential demand assessment; commuter and knowledge worker patterns; and assessing public–private benefits of smart work hubs. Importantly the paper concludes with critical factors needed to advance research and the extensive engagement undertaken into wider and sustainable practice. By outlining a research agenda and practical implications, the empirical insights will find traction within and beyond Australia.