ESPON project 1.2.3 Identification of Spatially Relevant Aspects of the Information Society

1. ESPON project 1.2.3Identification of Spatially Relevant Aspectsof the Information Society TPG

2. General objectives • Analysis of the Information Society from a territorial perspective – identification of information society's state and trends, typology of spatial units form the perspective of the level of development of information society, • Analysis of the Information Society's territorial aspects at macro-, meso- and micro-levels – effects of the information society on spatial development in different types of regions. • Formulation of policy recommendations for macro-, meso- and micro-levels – identification of possible policy initiatives supporting cohesion in terms of ICT availability and use.

3. Research hypotheses related to spatial issues • Backward, peripheral and other disadvantaged regions havesmaller chances to catch up and build up growth because of the lack of important prerequisites such as e.g. ICT networks. • Depending on the level of economic development, the regions in different geographical parts of Europe are not equally affected by the spatial impacts of the IS. Centralisation-decentralisation tendencies vary. • While metropolitan regions basically are best prepared for restructuring towards a knowledge-based economy and Information Society, their success varies depending on the persistence of structures created in the industrial society and their ability to stimulate the restructuring processes. This also affects the strengths of ties between metropolitan regions and their hinterlands.

4. Definitions and problems • Very many definitions of IC. No attempts to provide still another one. • Technological, economic, social and cultural dimensions. • Lack of data: more on national levels, scarce on regional tier, almost non-existent on local levels. • Therefore: proxies and estimations.

5. Main findings (macro level) - descriptive analysis The composite IS index IS in Europe The stages of IS development in Europe

6. Main findings (macro level) ESPON 1.2.3 Information Society Index(NUTS2, UE 25+2+2)

7. Factors enhancing IS development Major factors include those related to: • expansion of a relevant information infrastructure, • cost-effectiveness of ICT application, • attitudes of citizens, entrepreneurs, officials and policy makers, • existence of programmes or measures relating to this sphere and their planned implementation.

8. Spatial behaviour IS influence ICT affects many spheres of life and exerts an influence on enterprises, households and public authorities alike, which can in effect lead to changes in regional social and economic structures. However, on the basis of the collected data, no strong correlations between the application of ICT, innovation, spatial linkages and competitiveness can be unambiguously identified.

9. Governance & education Role of national/regional IS policy Regional level activities play a major role not only at the stage of building a technical capacity for ICT application in the administration, but are also of great importance in popularising knowledge about possible ICT applications and in motivating local communities to make use of ICT. Role of governance on the regional level IS development depends on the quality of governance which should must fully consider the specific character of every region and its surroundings. Education The experiences of the poorly developed, peripheral EU regions highlight the role of broadly understood education and popularisation of knowledge about IS. This problem can also be observed in more developed regions, though not at such a basic level.

10. From findings to (selected) policy implications:push-effect • ICT infrastructure – mainly the development of broadband access - assumes an important role in financial appropriations for infrastructure development, in particular in less developed member states and less favoured regions. SUGGESTION: provide cheap and general access to broadband. • Greater efforts in ICT infrastructure development is particularly important for the rural, peripheral areas, which become marginalised within the “digital divide”. SUGGESTION: accelerate development of ICT infrastructure in less favoured regions.

11. From findings to (selected) policy implications:pull-effect • IS development is regarded as one of the main dimensions of general social education and skill development. • SUGGESTION: introduce ICT techniques into the educational process, make them „part of life”. • E-administration has achieved a very differentiated level of development among the EU member states. SUGGESTION: promote e-government and –e-administration as a way of everyday life.

12. EU level The Community Strategic Guidelines of July 5, 2005 are a true change of orientation. Should be considered seriously! A need of a new understanding of COHESION: from EQUITY-oriented doctrines to FUNCTIONAL approaches. Information Society development may be an important factor in achieving territorial functional cohesion of the EU, its member states and its regions.

13. Recommendations for ESPON 2013 Programme • More fundamental empirical research: data, data, data. • Different dimensions of IS: need for stronger integration. • Questionnaires and interviews: efficient techniquesof in-depthresearch. • Case-studies: a strong cognitive tool. • Policy analyses on all levels: EU, national, regional, local: a deeper insight into real processes and commitments.

14. Final conclusion Information Society – EU space – Competitiveness: a much too important issue not to be seriously researched in the ESPON 2007-2013 Programme!

15. Thank you for your attention! Thanks for co-operation. Will meet some day, some time!