Turning The Digital Divide Into a Digital Dividend - Some Experiences from Manchester, UK

This paper focuses on the ways that innovative applications of digital technologies are being developed in Manchester (in the North West of England) and in the UK’s largest urban regeneration area, East Manchester, with the aim of tackling the “digital divide,” reengaging citizens in civic life, and transforming the delivery of public services in the context of urban regeneration. The paper suggests that sustainable regeneration requires a much more holistic approach to urban development than has been the case in previous strategies and policies and can benefit from using digital technologies. In order to turn the digital divide into a “digital dividend,” more emphasis needs to be placed on citizen engagement, empowerment and capacity building. This case study aims to provide examples of how a multiagency partnership approach is working to tackle these challenges through the “ONE-Manchester” initiative (Open Network E-Manchester).