Irish Examiner view: Viability of cities now a real issue

The changing nature of work

A quiet Grafton Street in Dublins city centre.

It may be adding two and two to get seven but the decision by Google not to rent space in Dublin for up to 2,000 workers feeds into the ever louder narrative about how changing work practices challenge cities’ relevance and viability.

Connectivity is now more important than a physical presence. A worker’s e-presence can deliver achievement at least as easily as a worker sitting in an office. By obviating the idea of physical presence this also renders geography irrelevant.