Digitally Disrupted Space

Digitally Disrupted Space: Proximity and New Development Opportunities for Regions and Cities develops an analytical framework of the key structural elements in relation to digital space and its impact on existing spatial interactions at a regional and urban level. It puts forth the argument that digital space is a new form of space acting complementary to existing spatial structures and creating novel interactions between and/or within them. It explores how digital space enhances connected intelligence by combining knowledge-intensive activities, cooperation between organisational and institutional actors, and smart environments of knowledge creation and diffusion.

Readers will better understand the connections between digital transformations and traditional paths of regional development, as well as underlying mechanisms fostering externalities and proximity emergence, triggering effective collaboration between the digital and other expressions of space. The first set of chapters (Part I) focuses on space disruptions in a digitalising world. The key notions of space and digital space are defined, alongside the main concepts that form it in relation to space dynamics, space connectors and space routines. The following group of chapters (Part II) discuss aspects related to the digital space reshaping transition processes, exploring the role of digital space under the multi-level perspective and the digital space in the forefront of twin transition. Finally, the last three chapters (Part III) focus on digital space challenges and opportunities for regional development. A specific focus is given in three key areas of regional development and the ways in which digital space can enhance them, including Productivity, Resilience and Inclusion.

Academics and researchers will find insights into how cities and regions can adopt this new developmental paradigm; how to organise connected intelligence within regional and urban environments; and how to sustain productivity, resilience and inclusion through the use of digital space. Digital transformation managers in the public sector and entrepreneurs in private organisations can leverage the opportunities offered from this transition process, not only by identifying actions and strategies for boosting their productivity, but also for making them more resilient during socio-economic, environmental and health crises. And professionals and policymakers in urban and regional development will find concrete guidance about the design, development and management of the digital space and the creation of connected intelligence environments at the urban and regional level.

• Thoroughly analyzes the role of digital space to complement existing structures and generate new interactions and networks, revealing the digital elements that are essential for the rise of new dynamics, connectors and routines
• Positions the digital space emergence under the framework of a multi-level transition perspective, shedding light on how digital space reshapes transition processes
• Explores the potential challenges and opportunities arising from the emergence of the digital space for regional development