Soft cities and voluptuous bits
THE USE OF SPACE IN THE INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION AGE - PROCESSING THE UNPLANNABLE
Elizabeth Sikiaridi and Frans Vogelaar
The emerging space of digital information/communication flows is modifying traditional analog urban networks. These “virtual” spaces (Internet, telephone, television) are influencing and interacting with “real” urban places. This interaction process between information/communication networks and the urban environments is a complex and dynamic one.
By negating distance, information/communication technology is reducing the importance of spatial proximity for the location of functions. At the same time, the “spaces of flows” of information/communication networks are attracted to existing urban structures, supporting given centralities and enhancing urban differentiations.
The spaces of information/communication networks are absorbing functions (for example, teleworking, teleshopping) and power (for example, economic transactions, politics) away from urban organisms. However, the relation between the urban realm and ICT networks is not just one of simple competition.
The anticipation (and fear) of the replacement of urban organisms by the “soft” cities of tomorrow is proving to be too simplistic. ICT will not absorb all the functions of urban organisms by withdrawing them from the urban and transferring them to telecommunication networks. The city will not disappear, but it will change in character, in that its very specific qualities as an environment for direct physical encounter and experience, as a generator of (intuitive) trust needed for social cohesion, will become more pronounced.
Thanks Julie!