Michela LAZZERONI, Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge University of Pisa, Italy
Paola ZAMPERLIN, Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge University of Pisa, Italy
The acceleration of the diffusion of new digital technologies are leading to profound changes and discontinuities in various areas (individual, economic, social, spatial) of human life. The scale and intensity of these changes call for an intensification of spatial analyses of their impact both in terms of development opportunities and enhancement of possible interconnections, and in terms of negative effects and increasing social and territorial inequalities.
The aim of this study is to provide a framework of impacts that the diffusion of the latest generation ICTs (IoT, 5G, sensors, robotics, AI, Big Data, etc.) has had throughout the Italian urban system, where specific policies oriented to smartness have been adopted in recent years. In addition to quantifiable advantages in the urban environments (data control for waste management, air pollution, energy efficiency, networking, mobility, urban planning, etc.), it is important to assess economic, social and spatial disparities, which could be consequences of incorrect planning, lack of investments, inadequate policies and/or linked to specific geographic characteristics and different urban visions.
In this general framework, this work aims to identify and apply some indicators regarding technological performance and inequality in Italian cities and to discuss some first results in comparative terms. Particular attention is paid to the different situations of metropolitan cities, and to the comparison of technological, economic and social gaps between large, medium and small cities located in different parts of Italy (North, Center and South of the peninsula). This comparative analysis can help to draw a picture of the differences and to reflect on the policies implemented in these fields, often replicated without considering the specific spatial characteristics, the different urban response capacities, the plurality of development models that cities aim to promote.
Mots clés : Industry 4.0 technologies|smart development|territorial disparities|Italian cities|urban policies
A103710ML