In this article, the authors reflect on the way in which information and communication technology (ICT) is being implemented in the value chain. They look particularly at how Internet is being used and consider the effects that all these developments are having on urban life and transport systems. The authors take the view that, so far, it is only relatively simple and standardised knowledge that has been involved. A case study, focusing on financial services, gives an indication of the different potential and actual effects while emphasising the fact that though services may have increased at the regional level they have been reduced at the local level. At the national level the authors anticipate that medium-sized players will veer towards specialisation which may mean that city structures will become more polycentric and transport patterns more diffuse. At the same time, it should be realised that growing Internet use and concomitant spatial implications are still surrounded by much uncertainty. (A)
Abstract