flowspeople

Flowspeople is a term used in urban studies and digital culture to describe individuals who move fluidly across physical and virtual spaces, weaving together work, residence, and social life through continuous mobility and online connectivity. The concept emphasizes the integration of transportation networks, real-time information flows, and social networks to support multi-sited living.

Etymology and usage: A blend of "flow" and "people," the term is relatively new and not tied to a single discipline. It appears in discussions of smart cities, platform economies, and mobility research to capture a pattern of life that prioritizes flexible location, gig work, remote collaboration, and rapid information exchange.

Characteristics: Flowspeople typically rely on efficient transit, flexible work arrangements, and digital tools to coordinate activities across places. They may maintain multiple residences, work from transit hubs or co-working spaces, and have social ties that span online and offline networks. Time is managed against transport schedules and network latency.

Implications: The flowspeople pattern influences urban design, retail, and public policy by increasing demand for reliable transit, digital broadband, and mixed-use development. It raises considerations about privacy, data security, and labor rights in platform-mediated work and service arrangements.