The Space of the Flows and the Space of the Places, From Contrast to Interaction: Exploring the Effects of the New Technologies on the Characteristics of the Urban Space

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, ّDepartment of Urban Planning, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 PhD Candidate, Department of Urban Planning, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The development of the capabilities of the digital and online technologies, known as new technologies, for nearly half a century since their emergence has brought together the virtual space formed by them to the physical space of the cities. Today, it is difficult to imagine being in urban space without access to up-to-date maps on the smartphones and the placement in the world of information. Now, the cities’ environment and the general urban spaces, influenced by the characteristics of the dual spacization are perceived, experienced and developed in another way. Also, understanding the flow of the urban life and the content of the urban space, today would be possible just by understanding these new characteristics. The present paper, which describes and analyzes the link between the new technologies and the spatial issues and the effects of this link on the characteristics of today's urban space, has been developed in two main sections. In the first section, the changes in the link between technology, urban and spatial issues from 1970s to the present have been explained with an analytical- historical viewpoint.  The implementation of the analytical-comparative approach in the second section provided an opportunity for redefining the three key characteristics of a good urban space, including “legibility”, “sociability”, and “the diversity of activities” in the context of a dual space city.  Findings showed that the perception of the space is formed not only through sensory involvement with location, but also with access to the information layer and awareness of data, the historical dimensions and the narratives related to the space. Social experience in the urban space makes sense more with link to the widespread, temporary networks on the specific issues than with the face-to-face relationships. Also, the urban spaces are places for developing nodes which are shaped in the intersection of the online digital flows and the offline physical activities, not places for pausing. So, today's design and management of the hybrid urban space, considering these new qualities could provide the necessary context for the flow of the dual space urban life.   

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