Experiences of European Digital Cities

This paper presents the current developments of Digital Cities in the European Union. Starting from the point of view of local authorities and their specific role in the development of the Information Society, three applications clusters are proposed: i) Economic development or regeneration; ii) Social cohesion and quality of life; and iii) better management of the city administration and its infrastructures. The paper also reviews the limits of current pilot projects and gives an outline of the enabling technologies in use or planned in a near future. Finally, strategic success factors for the development of Digital Cities projects are presented on the basis of ten case studies carried-out in small and large cities.