International conference Using ICT, Social Media and Mobile Technologies to Foster Self-Organisation in Urban and Neighbourhood Governance

International conference

Using ICT, Social Media and Mobile Technologies to

Foster Self-Organisation in Urban and Neighbourhood

Governance

May 16-17, 2013

Library at Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

Organizing committee:

Dr. Reinout Kleinhans

Prof. Dr. Maarten van Ham

Christel Swarttouw-Hofmeijer

OTB Research Institute for the Built Environment

Delft University of Technology

Delft

Day 1: Thursday 16 May

‘Using ICT, Social Media and Mobile

Technologies to Foster Self-Organisation in

Urban and Neighbourhood Governance’

May 16

– 17

2013

Library Delft University of Technology, The

Netherlands

8.30 – 9.45 Registration (Library of Delft University)

9.45 – 10.00 Opening Address: Reinout Kleinhans, OTB Research Institute, Delft

10.00 – 10.45 KEY NOTE LECTURE 1 (Orange Room)

chair: Reinout Kleinhans

Jennifer Evans-Cowley, Ohio State University, USA:

“There's an App for That: Mobile Applications for Engagement”

10.45 – 11.15 Tea / Coffee

11.15 – 12.00 KEY NOTE LECTURE 2 (Orange Room)

chair: Maarten van Ham

Rich Ling, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark:

“Mobile phones, social glue and the (sometimes) viral web”

12.15 – 13.30 Lunch (Aula of Delft University, opposite to the Library)

13.30 – 15.30 Workshop session 1 (Meeting Rooms Library)

15.30 – 16.00 Tea / Coffee

16.00 – 18.00 Workshop session 2 (Meeting Rooms Library)

18.00 – 19.00 Reception (OTB Research Institute, Jaffalaan 9, opposite to the Aula)

9.00 – 10.30 KEY NOTE LECTURE 3 (Orange Room at the Library)

chair: Reinout Kleinhans

Lee Fisher, CEOs for Cities, USA:

“Change By Us - The Potential and Peril of Social Media and Civic Engagement”

KEY NOTE LECTURE 4 (Orange Room)

Martijn de Waal, The Public Matters & The Mobile City, The Netherlands:

“From Public Space to Urban Publics. Digital Media and the Urban Public Sphere”

10.30 – 11.00 Tea / Coffee

11.00 – 12.30 Workshop session 3 (Meeting Rooms Library)

12.45 – 13.45 Lunch (Aula of Delft University, opposite to the Library)

13.45 – 15.45 Workshop session 4 (Meeting Rooms Library)

15.45 – 16.15 Tea / Coffee

16.15 – 16.45 Further steps and closing of the conference Day 2: Friday 17 May

Conference Theme and Issues

The use of social media and mobile communication technologies has grown rapidly over the last years. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, MSN, Blogger, ICQ, Blogspot, RSS feeds and mobile Internet technologies have facilitated a constant increase in the number of virtual networks. Research has shown that Internet and virtual networks give rise to personalised communities that exist both in virtual and real spaces. The spatial-virtual intersection is prominent in ‘volunteered geographic information’, that is created by individuals who use geo-visualization interfaces (Google Maps).

The popularity of Facebook, Twitter and other social media has spurred a demand for new forms of self-organising governance by citizens and forms of participatory planning.

However, real two-way communication between residents and policymakers through social media is still scarce. Standard public participation instruments (e.g. town hall meetings) are outdated, unappealing, disconnected from residents’ needs and difficult to fit into daily activity schemes. Hence, resident involvement in neighbourhood affairs and collective action are often below the potential given residents’ willingness to contribute.

Whereas many recognise the potential of social media to involve new groups (e.g. youths) and offer new ways of communication and participation, there is little knowledge on the utility, mobilising potential and effectiveness of social media and mobile technologies in this context. How can social media supplement other participation forms? What about take up rates of social media-based platforms? To what extent do virtual platforms really affect decision-making and residents’ approach towards local everyday liveability issues? What are preconditions and restrictions for effectively using ICT and social media in self-organisation? And to what extent do new practices require adjustments of theories of active citizenship, social capital, participatory planning and collective action?

Aim and spin-off of the conference

The aim is to identify, present and discuss scientific research into and local experiences with the mobilising potential of ICT, social media and mobile technologies and ICT in the context of neighbourhood governance, self-organising citizens and participatory planning.

We particularly welcome academic researchers who are willing to present papers that discuss the aforementioned questions. Delegates from local governments, NGOs, housing authorities and resident organisations can also attend without presenting a paper.

Our intention is to work towards an edited volume for a renowned publisher or a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal. Participants who would like to contribute to this project have to submit their full paper before the start of the conference. If the number of eligible papers exceeds the publication space, a selection will be made by the editors.