Title: Governance mechanisms in vulnerable communities using a technology platform: a study case in 13 de noviembre, Colombia

Authors: Sara María Yepes Zuluaga; Jeferson Martínez Lozano; Fabio León Suarez Álvarez; Jose Alirio Barragán Sanchéz; Margarita María Corrales

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Calle 54a #30-01, 050032, Medellín, Colombia ' Faculty of Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Calle 54a #30-01, 050032, Medellín, Colombia ' Faculty of Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Calle 54a #30-01, 050032, Medellín, Colombia ' Faculty of Engineering, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Carrera 45 #22D – 25, 051051, Bello, Colombia ' Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Carrera 45 #22D – 25, 051051, Bello, Colombia

Abstract: In developing countries, the lack of means, infrastructure, and technologies have increased basic needs, reduced citizen participation, and delayed social, economic, and political transformation processes. This is especially noticeable in the governance limitations caused by the digital gap in the case examined here, i.e., the 13 de Noviembre neighbourhood in the 8th district in Medellin, Colombia. The objective of this study was to design and implement a technology platform that provided services through a web portal to this vulnerable population as a governance improvement strategy. A wireless network infrastructure in the ISM band was designed and implemented, and services were enabled through a captive portal with authentication. The appropriation of ICTs enables the implementation of strategies to improve governance because citizens can conduct multiple activities online: access services and procedures, participate in e-government, take informal education courses, generate citizen participation mechanisms, boost new ventures, and promote local businesses.

Keywords: governance; technology platform; captive portal; wireless network; ICT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2023.130142

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2023 Vol.15 No.1, pp.87 - 104

Received: 12 Oct 2021
Accepted: 13 Jul 2022
Published online: 05 Apr 2023 *