Digital cities : public policies and the development of the intelligent metropolis

Abstract

Analysis of information technology often is divided into two spheres that tend not to overlap, the engineering oriented application of hardware, and the social impact of new technology. In contrast, cities represent concentrations of many social, economic, and political spheres that constantly overlap. The opportunities offered by information technology for exchange, interaction, and development bring together engineering and social forces. Thus, the benefits of new information technology also demand their successful integration into urban society. Merging complex technologies into complex social and economic environments is a challenge faced by many cities and metropolitan areas as they plan for the next millennium. The transition from analog to digital is an engineering challenge, and the digital city is an even greater social and policy challenge. This paper addresses the rationale and structure of public policy designed to introduce and incorporate information technology into exciting and new cities. In particular, public policy initiatives in Southeast Asia and the U.S. are presented. The paper includes discussion of the information technology and telecommunication policies of Singapore, including the city-state’s technology corridors concept, and other urban and regionalization development strategies in Malaysia and the U.S.