Digital cities and the opportunities for mobilizing the information society: Case studies from Portugal

Abstract

The development of case studies in selected Portuguese cities and regions which have been engaged in "digital city" projects is considered in this paper in a way to discuss main challenges and opportunities for mobilizing the information society in Europe, with emphasis for the conditions affecting less favourable zones. It is argued that value-based networks have the potential to make both public administration and markets more effective, which helps promoting learning trajectories for the inclusive development of society, but require effective infrastructures, incentives and adequate institutional frameworks. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.