E-governance in Cities: A Comparison of Urban Information and Communication Technology Policies

Abstract

V AN DER MEER A. and V AN WINDEN W. (2003) E-governance in cities: a comparison of urban information and communication technology policies, Reg. Studies 37 , 407-419. Throughout Europe, urban information and communication technology (ICT) policies are becoming more significant. Using examples from various cities, this paper describes and analyses the local manifestation and dynamics of the information society. In a conceptual framework, we make a distinction between three interdependent types of "footprints' of ICTs in urban areas: access, content, and infrastructure. For each of these dimensions, we describe and compare current urban ICT policies. We focus on the way local governments involve other urban actors in the design and implementation of ICT policies. Although cities feel the need to engage in new types of strategic partnerships, they are struggling to find appropriate partnership models. V AN DER MEER A. et V AN WINDEN W. (2003) Les systèmes de gouvernement électroniques: une comparaison des politiques de technologie de l'information et de la communication urbaines, Reg. Studies 37 , 407- 419. Partout dans l'Europe, les politiques de Technologie de l'Information et de la Communication (TIC) urbaines deviennent de plus en plus importantes. A partir des études de cas provenant de diverses villes, cet article cherche à présenter et à analyser les signes et la dynamique de la socié té de l'information. Dans un cadre conceptuel, on distingue dans les zones urbaines trois types de "tracés' de TIC entrelacés: l' accès, le contenu, et l'infrastructure. Pour chacun de ces tracés, on présente et compare les politiques de TIC actuelles. L'étude porte sur la façon dont l'administration locale implique d'autres agences urbaines dans la conception et la mise en oeuvre des politiques de TIC. Bien que les villes éprouvent le besoin de s'engager dans de nouveaux genres de partenariat stratégique, elles ont du mal à trouver des modè les de partenariat qui conviennent. V AN DER MEER A. und V AN WINDEN W. (2003) E-Verwaltung in Städten: Ein Vergleich städtischer Bestrebungen betreff Einsatz von Informations-und Kommunikationstechnologie, Reg. Studies 37 , 407-419. In ganz Europa nimmt Stadtpolitik betreff Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie (ICT) an Bedeutung zu. Unter Zuhilfenahme von Beispielen verschiedener Städte beschreibt und analysiert der vorliegende Aufsatz ö rtliches Auftreten und Dynamik der Informationsgesellschaft. In einem konzeptualen Rahmen wird zwischen drei wechselseitig von einander abhängigen " Fußspuren' typen von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in städtischen Gebieten unterschieden: zwischen Zugang, Inhalt und Infrastruktur. Für jede dieser Dimensionen werden gegenwärtig verfolgte städtische ICT Bestrebungen beschrieben und verglichen. Die Autoren konzentrieren ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf die Art und Weise in der Gemeindeverwaltungen andere städtische Teilnehmer in Entwurf und Ausführung der ICT Bestrebungen miteinbeziehen. Obwohl Städte die Notwendigkeit einsehen, sich in neuen Type...

Provision of information by local governments using the Internet: case studies in Japan

“…The experience of official websites of local governments in Japan suggests that the "digital flywheel" framework proposed by Van der Meer and Van Winden (2003) is inadequate when discussing the full range of possibilities of Internet utilization by local governments when we expand the discussion to a wider range of municipalities.…”

“…Within this framework, the present paper focuses on the Internet content provided by local governments. Van der Meer and Van Winden (2003) argue that local governments are one of the most important suppliers of local content, and the content provided by local governments clearly reflects features of their ICT policies. In this paper, the relationship between geographic conditions and local government policy for ICT utilization is discussed via case studies of official websites operated by local governments in Japan.…”

“…Van der Meer and Van Winden (2003) proposed the concept of the "digital flywheel" as a theoretical framework within which to discuss the activities of local governments in terms of utilizing Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). They argue that ICT utilization in a community progresses via a dynamic interaction of three manifestations (access, infrastructure, and content) that are augmented by external factors such as institutional conditions, economic conditions, and national policies.…”

Urban regeneration, retail development and the role of information and communication technologies

“…Information and communication technology (ICT) has facilitated the assessment and planning of human environments; in particular, urban planning works are increasingly dependent on ICT like Geographic Information System, Internetbased communication, etc (Graham, 2002;Hanzl, 2007;Van der Meer & Van Winden, 2003). In reality, many planning proposals in the United States tend to include ICT as a tool to enhance human interaction and public relations, especially noticeable through the use of the web by retailers.…”

The Effects of Environmental and Social Dimensions of Sustainability in Response to the Economic Crisis of European Cities

“…In terms of the relationships between knowledge base and economic growth or development, researchers developed the following three basic points of view. The first considers as key factors technological infrastructure and innovation [5][6][7][8]. The second, and maybe more developed, emphasizes the importance of human capital as a key factor in economic growth [8][9][10][11].…”