Evangelos ASPROGERAKAS
Urban & Regional Planner, National Technical University of Athens
Abstract
Following the demands of contemporary economy, public administration gradually adopts the applications of information and communications technology. This paper deals with the policy concerning the development of electronic governance (eG) applications and how their use is affected by and determines spatial correlations. The adopted methodology includes a bibliographical approach and a case study analysis based on the use of taxation electronic applications, particularly popular as eG applications, in Greece.
In the EU, ICT in fact functions merely as a means of realisation within pre-existing political, social and economical structures a fact posing restrictions in terms of the results of their potential use. E-Government applications are a more immediate way for the citizen to get in contact with public services and a mechanism of accelerating administrative procedures. There is a lack of contribution to the cohesion of policies and actions.
The constitution of telematic nets and the use of technological applications are the main mechanisms leading to the notion of “electronic space” challenging at the same time the traditional view of accessibility and the functional organisation of space. The inferior position concerning conventional accessibility as well as the multifragmentation of a spatial unity are distinguished as major factors for the development of eG applications together with the existence of a major urban centre. Moreover there is at least some evidence that the use is related to the predominant activity of the area in question with tourism acting as a familiarisation tool with the internet and its applications.