Title: Are digital cities intelligent? The Portuguese case

Authors: Barbara Barbosa Neves

Addresses: Centre for Public Administration and Policies, Institute of Social and Political Sciences of Technical University of Lisbon (CAPP, ISCSP-UTL), Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Polo Universitario do Alto da Ajuda Rua Professor Almerindo Lessa, 1300-663 Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract: Since its creation in the 1990s, the concept of a digital city has greatly evolved: moving from a mere digital conception to a specific territorial approach that focuses on the interconnections between the digital and the physical. Portuguese digital cities are an example of this evolution, as they are currently developed, mainly in a local e-government structure aiming to enable local actors to embrace sustainable development, the exercise of citizenship and the formation of a knowledge society. This paper discusses the study of two Portuguese digital cities, in light of the emerging concept of intelligent cities. But questioning whether a digital city can be considered intelligent. We conclude that digital cities contribute to the development of the urban/regional intelligence, therefore setting the ground for a more advanced city based on participation, learning, innovation, creativity and competitiveness.

Keywords: digital cities; intelligent cities; citizenship; information society; knowledge society; Portugal; participation; learning; innovation; creativity; competitiveness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2009.022732

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.443 - 463

Published online: 25 Jan 2009 *

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