Digital Towns: Accelerating and Measuring the Digital Transformation of Rural Societies and Economies

This book explores the digital transformation of small and rural towns, highlighting the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing and using digital technologies. It defines a digital town and explores digitalization through the perspectives of individuals, businesses, the public sector, and civil society. It also provides a Digital Town Readiness Framework for measuring progress and developing initiatives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 213 pages
Publication date: 11 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive open-access book delves into the transformative journey of small and rural towns, shedding light on their digital transformation. It examines the various factors influencing the evolution and development of digital towns, including access to resources, competition from urban and global markets, and population trends. However, rural communities face significant barriers to accessing and utilizing digital technologies, resulting in lower digital competencies and skills compared to their urban counterparts. Consequently, they experience less beneficial outcomes from increased digitalization than urban areas.

The book defines what a digital town is and explores digitalization through the lens of four fundamental economic sectors: individuals and households, businesses, the public sector, and civil society. It also examines three types of enabling infrastructure: digital connectivity, education, and governance. Special emphasis is placed on measuring digitalization efforts by intergovernmental and international organizations across these sectors and enabling infrastructure.

The book concludes with a Digital Town Readiness Framework, providing local communities, policymakers, and scholars with a foundational set of indicators to develop digital town initiatives and track progress. This resource serves as a guide for those eager to embrace the opportunities of a more equitable and impactful digital society and digital economy.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030912468
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022