Multispeed Cities and the Logistics of Living in an Information Age

• Start date: 01 June 2003
• End date: 30 November 2004

This project examines the relationships of information and communication technologies (ICTs) with social polarisation, and whether they enable different paces of life in different communities. While an established literature discusses the differential access and adoption rates of individual ICTs according to social categories (eg class, race, age, gender), this project looks at the effects of differential usage and provision of combinations of technologies on everyday life in two contrasting communities — one highly connected, the other not. It focuses upon, first, the benefits offered to those connected in orchestrating their daily lives. It will examine changes in social relations that may be engendered by lCTs stretching relationships and logistics, so distant connections may complement or compete with local ties. Second, at the other end of the spectrum, it will assess whether these technologies create new norms and patterns of activities that create ‘disbenefits’ for those not connected. The project will focus at a neighbourhood scale where combinations of ICTs, old and new technologies and patterns of living come together. The two neighbourhoods will be contrasting affluent and poor wards in central Newcastle upon Tyne. The research will use space-time diaries, followed by individual and group interviews to examine the choice and uses of ICTs.