Developing the Information Society:
The Impacts on Regional & Spatial Planning
Emerging Lessons and Issues for Policy makers and Planners

25-26 October, Lille, France

Over the last two years, a programme has been running within Wales information Society, WDA, to examine the impact of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) on regional and spatial development. This is part of ASPECT (Analysis of Spatial Planning and Emerging Communication Technologies), a two-year research project involving five other European regions under the leadership of the Regional Council of Nord Pas de Calais.

The main aim of ASPECT has been to determine the effects of ICTs when deployed on a large scale in specific sectors, notably in:

• Economic development
• Healthcare
• Provision of citizens’ services
• Development of services for public administrations.

ASPECT has focused on how ICTs in these sectors are affecting two important spatial issues:

• transport and traffic congestion
• the development of urban and rural areas.

A draft programme for the ASPECT Dissemination Conference is attached.

Over the two days of the conference, you will be able to:

• Identify issues that affect the development of ICTs across all sectors. Issues that will be discussed include:
  • the digital divide
  • the role of high-speed infrastructure
  • the scope for public sector intervention, especially by regional bodies
• Discuss these issues with policy makers at regional and national level
• Access good practice in ICTs and planning, identified during the ASPECT project
• Meet potential project partners, and gather information on the forthcoming Interreg IIIB programme.

If you would like further information on the conference programme and how to participate, please contact Nicholas Singer, (Fax: 00 33 3 28 82 76 05, e-mail: mis@cr-npdc.fr)