An Analysis of Iranian Electronic Cities Case Study: Uremia City (Challenges and Opportunities)

Abstract

Electronic cities result from the implication of information and communication technology (ICT) in the contemporary era. Significant ICT development and internet network expansion as well as the need of urban management to new ideas in managing cities lead us toward a new strategy called "electronic cities". The current study aims at investigating the strategic planning of Iranian electronic cities, case study of the metropolitan uremia, Iran. Research method is documentary and survey. Research Statistical population consists of all experts located in Uremia, selected through Morgan Table. To collect data, Likert spectrum is employed. Findings indicate that the most important challenges in the way of establishing an electronic city include the lack of strategic document for urban development, high number of decision-making centers and administrative extra parallel works among them, the inclination of the urban managers toward traditional methods, low-speed, high-cost internet connection, the lack of infrastructures for ICT, the lack of digital literacy among citizens and so on. According to the findings, some strategies have been recommended, which they need the serious care of urban managers and planners in the metropolitan Uremia.