New technologies in public management in small towns in Rio Grande Do Norte State, Brazil

Abstract

This paper is part of an ongoing research about planning, territory management and sociospatial development in small towns in Rio Grande do Norte State, in which multiple dimensions of this process is analysed. One important dimention is the techno-democratic capability in these localities. We aim to focus on this, building up the social and technical profile in these towns, considering the restricted diffusion of technological innovations in these towns. In Rio Grande do Norte State there are 167 urban agglomerations, of which 155 are classified as small towns, that is, their population is below 20000 inhabitants. These towns have little offer of services, social equipment for collective consumption. In many, there are no cinemas, theathers and museums. There are no converging technologies, associating informational and electronic means of communication. This research thus contributes to the understanding of how sociospatial inequalities are produced in the midst of todays technological and informational development.