Planners' Attitudes toward the Spatial Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies

Information and communication technologies have evidenced a swift development recently, and the effects of these technologies on space have been discussed since the 1980s. Even though there is no consensus about what spatial effects are, all authorities and academics are of the opinion that information technologies play an important role in changing spatial structures. These developments will affect both spatial development and spatial planning. This article aims to offer an insight into the impacts of information technologies on urban spatial structure and development. Within this context, in order to discuss the spatial effects of information technologies, the basic factor on which spatial change is based should be defined. Studies of the changing meanings of space, distance and time have shown that these factors will not be a negative factor in relation to information networks and communication. Information and the need for qualified people are important elements in production, and become determinants in the location decisions for activities. The expected spatial changes are various. In general, future studies will be needed to focus on the spatial effects of information technologies. The article discusses the effects of ICTs on spatial and urban change and to examine the needs that arise and opportunities to be met in terms of the city and regional planning discipline. With that purpose in mind, the aim is to make suggestions in the light of opinions discussed in the relevant literature and to realize a field study in order to evaluate the opinions of urban and regional planners who are deciding the future of cities. The results of the field survey indicate that urban and regional planners are of the similar opinion as experts and academics in the field in supporting that ICTs are an important element that should be considered in spatial planning.