Urban development in respect to social media – the applicability of the Amsterdam city experience in other European cities

Abstract

Social media and digital methods provide people with mechanism that allows them to organise themselves around collective issues and to manage social and infrastructural resources in new collaborative ways. Knowledge of the best practices in the application of social media in the process of urban planning, design and social networking was gained under the Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) under the COST Action 1306, and these are discussed, together with a comparison of common public activities in Amsterdam and Sofia. It has been proven that with the possibility to support better understandings of the connection between technology, public needs and spatial development, a visual approach could bring valuable knowledge and information. In Amsterdam and in Sofia, there were similar physical activities undertaken by common people and there was not wide use of technology detected, except use of smart-phones. In Sofia, from one side there was not enough knowledge and experience in technology application for urban open space development and, on the other hand, citizens are willing to learn more about Amsterdam’s good practices in urban regeneration by actively supporting social media and playful games. The study is an attempt towards understanding the complex relationship between mobile media, citizens’ experience, possible changes in their lifestyles and possible spatial development and planning.