1. Cities in the digital, innovation and knowledge age 1.1 A journey that began in 2005
1.1 A journey that began in 2005 Since 1990, the development of Internet and Communication Technologies has favoured the more or less widespread generation of initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for communication and information sharing by local or regional communities. Early experiences often arise spontaneously and circumstantially in the shape of citizen forums or within certain groups in order to address common issues, to the point that each circle or forum has different objectives. This phenomenon first appeared in the U.S. and then moved on to Europe and Asia.
Local Authorities are aware that in recent decades the development of information and communication technologies (ICT), innovation and knowledge has increased, making them increasingly present in daily life and basic components in the social and economic progress of their territories. The world is becoming increasingly digital and no‐one can remain unaffected by these changes. A change process of such enormous proportions and a climate of uncertainty about the resulting social model require Local Authorities, as the public authorities closest to the citizens, to provide an appropriate response.
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