ANTHONY M. TOWNSEND. 2003. WIRED/UNWIRED: THE URBAN GEOGRAPHY OF DIGITAL NETWORKS. PH.D. DISSERTATION. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Information Technology, Space and the built environment: The Death of the city? ; Wrapping up

Introduction Thesis examines the development of digital network infrastructure in the world’s greatest cities at the turn of 20 th century. Analyses how the physical components of digital networks were deployed in major urban areas during 1990s. It finds that historical processes and pre existing differences between places shaped the evolution of this infrastructure at multiple spatial scales; global, metropolitan, and neighborhood. As a result, rather than bringing about the “death of distance”, digital network infrastructure actually reinforced many of the pre-existing differences between connected and disconnected places. As the development of wired network slowed, wireless technology emerged as a more flexible, intuitive and efficient form of connecting users.

Thesis examines the development of digital network infrastructure in the world’s greatest cities at the turn of 20 th century.

Analyses how the physical components of digital networks were deployed in major urban areas during 1990s.

It finds that historical processes and pre existing differences between places shaped the evolution of this infrastructure at multiple spatial scales; global, metropolitan, and neighborhood.

As a result, rather than bringing about the “death of distance”, digital network infrastructure actually reinforced many of the pre-existing differences between connected and disconnected places.

As the development of wired network slowed, wireless technology emerged as a more flexible, intuitive and efficient form of connecting users.

Chapter 1: Communication Network as Urban Infrastructure Introduction Cities as Information Systems Communications Geography Design and Planning of Mediated Space

Introduction

Cities as Information Systems

Communications Geography

Design and Planning of Mediated Space

Chapter 2: The Spread of the Internet Introduction The Military Research Network (1969 - 1987) The Educational Network (1987 - 1995) The Commercial Network (1995 - present) Global Diffusion The United States as the center of Global Internet Loosening America’s grip on the Internet

Introduction

The Military Research Network (1969 - 1987)

The Educational Network (1987 - 1995)

The Commercial Network (1995 - present)

Global Diffusion

The United States as the center of Global Internet

Loosening America’s grip on the Internet

Chapter 3: The Rise of the Network Cities Introduction Global Cities and the Internet The inadequacy of existing views

Introduction

Global Cities and the Internet

The inadequacy of existing views

Chapter 4: The Wired Metropolis Introduction Four vital components of Urban digital infrastructure Teleport Information Highway Information Factories Information Warehouses Information Ports

Introduction

Four vital components of Urban digital infrastructure

Teleport

Information Highway

Information Factories

Information Warehouses

Information Ports

Chapter 5: The Fiber Boom and Bust Introduction The Boom The Bust Why the Bubble bust?

Introduction

The Boom

The Bust

Why the Bubble bust?

Chapter 6: The Untethered City Introduction The emergence of untethered city Mobile Communications and Urban Dynamics Untethered Infrastructure

Introduction

The emergence of untethered city

Mobile Communications and Urban Dynamics

Untethered Infrastructure

Chapter 7: Policy, Planning and Design for the Digitally Networked City Introduction Planning: Putting telecommunications on the map Policy: Infrastructure, Connectivity and Competitiveness Design: Mediated Urban Space

Introduction

Planning: Putting telecommunications on the map

Policy: Infrastructure, Connectivity and Competitiveness

Design: Mediated Urban Space

Thank you