Knowledge Society, Knowledge-Based Development, Knowledge Cities (KCs) are mainstream terms that frequently used recently. Many cities globally are claiming to be or are planning to be transformed into KCs. But what is a KC really?

How does such a KC offer a new perspective of development in the today’s world of the global financial crisis? And how can the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) contribute in this respect.

Development policies, mainly based on knowledge as a primary source of wealth and growth of jobs, are increasingly adopted by cities. This tendency has become stronger recently also due to the global financial crisis. The crisis has clearly placed innovation and knowledge in the core competitive advantages not only for enterprises and businesses but also for societies.

The crisis is confirming that at local level, cities need a clear strategy – and consequent implementation mechanisms – regarding their “productive model”, through the integration of drivers such as creativity & innovation, tech-based activities, greening economies and networking.

In addition, early evidence suggests that such knowledge societies will emerge stronger out of the crisis. ICT tools for effective partnerships are a key driver for encouraging and structuring community engagement at a variety of levels.

Knowledge Societies and ICT

Many cities globally are now considered as successful KCs. However, only very few of them such as Barcelona, Melbourne and Montréal have managed to formulate integrated strategic approaches. The initiatives and approaches of the rest are rather ad-hoc and sporadic.

Despite the tremendous transformation potential, local authorities in EU and worldwide seem to be unable to formulate integrated KC development strategies, in terms of:

• Promoting collaboration of the civic, private, voluntary and education sectors;

• Achieving agreed objectives related to the twin goals sustainable economic development and social inclusiveness.

ICT tools can act as a catalyst, fostering:

• Collaboration: Cities/ member workspaces, Events Calendar (Conferences/ Meeting/ Workshops), Announcements and Alerts, Virtual Communities (Areas of common interest, discussion groups).

• Dialogue/ Networking: Message exchange, Direct Voice and Video, Calls, eConferences, Virtual Events/ Meeting, Discussion Rooms/ Forums, List of Contacts/ Institutions.

• Knowledge Management: Articles with rating voting, Wikis, Document library, Content Editing/ Submission, Information Feeds/ Information Push, Surveys/ Questionnaires.

Fairy Tale or Challenging Opportunity?

Knowledge is currently placed in the local communities’ context and the the potential role of cities is important in this respect.

“Linked learning cities around the globe, each one using powerful ICT tools, having a direct collaboration with each other”.

Such a concept has considerable power to engage all potential stakeholders in collaborative activity based on partnership and active citizenship. It has also the capacity to:

• Foster flexible learning local environments;

• Put on the map human values as forces in knowledge development;

• Promote Active citizenship for enhancing democracy and fighting exclusion.

EU project

A related effort is currently being applied in the context of the EU project “A network for rapid and sustainable ICT regional adoption”. The vision is to improve regional and local policies by adopting broadly ICT services, also contributing to lowering the cost of local administrations’ services to citizens.

A number of cities are participating in this initiative, namely Trikala (GR), Almere (NL), Malta (MT), Manchester (UK), Xanthi (GR), Jesenik (CZ) and Paralimni (CY), with the coordination of the National Technical University of Athens.

The project has conceptualized the G-B-C (Government - Business – Citizen) framework of a KC, as a “vibrant” virtual space where local government authorities, citizens and business interact and collaborate. A knowledge portal is also available providing easy guidelines for local or regional authorities to adopt the framework.

History teaches us that crisis times can result in salutary reforms. Local Authorities can, and should, face current challenges by turning them into an opportunity to kick-start the long revolution towards knowledge societies. And ICT tools can enhance such efforts.