To read this content please select one of the options below:

Cities in the developing world: Linking global and local networks

Shirin Madon (Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics & Political Science, London, UK and)
Sundeep Sahay (Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.)

Information Technology & People

ISSN: 0959-3845

Article publication date: 1 September 2001

2212

Abstract

Notes how rapid urbanization is transforming the developing world – creating cities, which on the one hand offer opportunities for global economic activity, but on the other hand are beset with serious local civic, economic and social problems. New networks based on information and communication technologies are increasingly being woven into the fabric of these cities supporting the connectedness of powerful groups both within the city and between cities around the world. These flows of global information and communication between powerful groups in the city involved in global economic activity coexist with intense face‐to‐face interactions at the local level. Bangalore in South India presents a major case study of this global/local interaction, being a focal point for software development in the Asian region and globally, but also beset with local problems of civic deficiencies, growing poverty and income inequality. Explores some of the issues which arise as Bangalore serves as a nexus that links global and local networks of exchange. Examines two Bangalore networks which typify global and local duality: the network of software firms located in high technology enclaves in and around the city, and the ostracised network of the slum dwellers of Bangalore, gradually being brought into mainstream discussions of governance in the city. Finds considerable similarities between global networks and local networks and outlines some of these dynamics.

Keywords

Citation

Madon, S. and Sahay, S. (2001), "Cities in the developing world: Linking global and local networks", Information Technology & People, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 273-286. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005832

Publisher

:

MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited

Related articles