Space mattersthe relational power of mobile technologies

Resumo

The ubiquitous presence of mobile telephony and proliferation of digital networks imply a critical role for these technologies in overcoming the constraints of space in fragmented cities. Academic literature draws from a range of disciplines but fails to address the significance of new technologies for African and SouthAfrican cities. Debates on technologies and urban spaces reflect a Northern bias and case literature that dwells on the developmental aspects of ICT do not engage with the broader significance with regards to urban change in African cities. This research addresses these gaps by examining the local transformativequalities of mobile telephony in a South African city, Durban. It focuses on the ways in which informal traders active in the city use technology. Actor-network theory was used in the analysis of the field work, uncovering material and human actors, network stabilization processes and agency in determining thetransformative potential of this form of digital networking at city and local scales. Findings indicate that appropriation of technology is informed by livelihood strategies. Innovation is enabled when translation extends to appropriation. More in-depth research is needed on how technology is molded and appropriated to suit livelihoods. Throughout the research the spatial dimensions of the relationship between mobile telephony and networks were considered. The network spaces that emerge from actor relations do not correspond with the physical spaces usually considered in policy.

Ficha do documento

Tipo

Artigo científico

Ano

2017

Instituição

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR

Fonte

urbe — Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana

Idioma

Português

Acesso

Não informado

Identificador

oai:ojs.periodicos.pucpr.br:article/22032

Temas

Tecnologia

Palavras-chave

Mobile telephonyDigital networksInformality