The Brookings Institute thinks it has found a way to measure the impact of the expanding 'gig economy'—i.e., freelancing work enabled by online platforms like Airbnb and Uber.
Ian Hathaway and Mark Muro author a post examining the proliferation of the so-called gig economy in cities around the country. Despite so much attention paid to apps like Airbnb, Uber, and more, writes Hathaway and Muro, "it’s still hard to get a handle on the size and importance of either those particular platforms or the larger 'gig economy.'"
"However, it turns out that for all of the limitations of the available data, additional light can in fact be thrown on the online gig economy," according to the article. To do so, Hathaway and Muro called on "an obscure Census Bureau dataset on 'nonemployer firms,' which tracks the activity of 'businesses' that earn at least $1,000 per year in gross revenues (or $1 in construction) but employ no workers."
The findings of their analysis reveal a significant and fast growing gig economy, specifically in peer-to-peer ride-sharing and peer-to-peer room-sharing. Another finding of their analysis: "platform-based freelancing is not yet substantially displacing payroll employment," though the authors admit that could change. Finally, their analysis finds that online gigging is mostly concentrated in urban areas.
The article includes a lot more detail and some very nifty infographics to help illustrate its points.
FULL STORY: Tracking the gig economy: New numbers
Ride-Hail Drivers Strike Today. Will Riders Boycott?
Uber is expected to be valued at $91 billion for an Initial Public Offering this spring. Initial investors will get rich. Drivers won't get much.
Job Losses Strike a Blow to Gig Economy Darlings
Uber and Airbnb both announced massive layoffs this week, after Lyft did the same last week, as the coronavirus pandemic took a toll on very contemporary corners of the economy.
How Cities Are Regulating the Sharing Economy
Compiled from interviews conducted with city officials, this National League of Cities report gives us a regulator's-eye-view of the sharing economy. Among the topics discussed are equity, taxation, and data transparency.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions