1st Edition

Information and Communications Technology as Potential Catalyst for Sustainable Urban Development Experiences in Eindhoven, Helsinki, Manchester, Marseilles and The Hague

By Leo van den Berg, Willem van Winden Copyright 2002

    This title was first published in 2002: The information revolution has deeply influenced the development of Europe’s large cities. They are faced with new opportunities and threats from the information and communication technologies (ICTs) and require strategic policy responses. By examining and comparing five European cities - Eindhoven, Helsinki, Manchester, Marseilles and the Hague - this book sheds light on the impact of ICTs on urban development and considers the consequences for urban management. Case studies show how cities use new technologies to improve the delivery of municipal services, to increase civil participation and local democracy, to help their citizens and businesses make the shift to the information society, and to fight the digital divide. These analyses reveal strategic challenges and potential pitfalls for ICT policy. The book offers a unique international perspective on the impact and potential of information technologies on urban development. The integrative approach - taking economic, social and accessibility issues into account - reveals many new insights.

    Contents: Introduction and Context: ICT and the city: an introduction; Context: urban dynamics in Europe and the role of ICT. ICT and the City: Conclusions and Synthesis: The ICT sector as growth engine for urban regions; ICT as instrument to promote urban attractiveness; Outlook and further research. Case Studies: Eindhoven; Helsinki; Manchester; Marseilles; The Hague.

    Biography

    Berg, Leo van den; Winden, Willem van

    '...it provides a very useful guide for policy-makers involved in urban management and will also provide useful empirical background for researchers in the ICT area.' The Professional Geographer