Airbnb has undoubtedly disrupted the hospitality industry, inspiring an ecosystem of companies leveraging the sharing economy such as co-living startups. While these companies have achieved impressive financial success, they have been purported to produce problematic effects at the scale of the city. Airbnb, in particular, is alleged to have driven an increase in rental prices in cities already grappling with housing affordability challenges. Much like the case of Uber's impact on urban mobility, Airbnb's rapid growth has caused significant challenges for local governments, demanding comprehensive regulation and a re-evaluation of its functioning at the city scale.
In 2008, Airbnb was established to revolutionize the hospitality industry. Founded in San Francisco, the startup quickly became a global company, greatly contributing to the growth of the sharing economy. Today, over 500,000 properties are listed on Airbnb in the United States alone, creating new opportunities for the way spaces are rented out and leased. Airbnb has empowered individuals to monetize their unused living spaces while providing travelers with an authentic alternative to traditional hotels. The company's disruptive business model has also had a deep impact on ideas around the utilization of real estate assets in the modern era.
