From associations to info-sociations : civic environmentalism and information communication technologies in three Asian tiger cities

Abstract

This multi-year, multi-city investigation seeks to examine how and why civic associations are employing information communication technologies (ICTs) in their work and the extent to which these uses are transforming urban ‘civic space.’ Rather than being passive non-state actors shaped by technologies in the ‘networked city,’ civic environmental associations are treated in this study as co-evolving ‘actor-networks’ that are both shaping and shaped by their ICT practices. This study systematically examines how ICT-linked tools or platforms are reconfiguring civic associations and civic space in the three ‘tiger city’ settings of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei. This investigation employs grounded theory, case study methods, and actor-network theory to examine the co-evolution of ICTs and civic environmental associations. The concept of info-sociations (ICT-associations) is employed in constructing a socio-technical model for analysis of the fast-evolving ICT practices of civic associations. Such an approach suggests that diverse forms of ICT-linked praxis—where civic ideals and knowledge are being put into practice—involves multimodal digital practices; alongside blended or multiplexed physical and virtual practices; and multiscalar practices. The info-sociational model compares ICT-linked organizational, participatory and spatial practices at the associational level by examining digitally-linked: internal and external organizational change; reconfigurations in the public sphere and cyberactivism; scalar transformations and associational alliance formations. Analyses of city-specific ‘civic space’ storylines; alongside a discussion of the problems and potentialities of ICT-linked practices also contributes to an integrated info-sociational model. An info-sociational approach therefore serves to examine transformations in knowledge, power and space as civic environmentalists employ ICTs. The info-sociational model supports an analysis of three pairs of age-distinct civic environmental associations in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei. These six cases (as units of analysis) were selected for their diverse civic environmental activities; their differences in age; and their variety of ICT-linked practices, including uses for: public deliberations, and mobilizing activism; networked alliance formations; identifying environmental and spatial issues in city regions; and creating alternative green media. Employing the info-sociational model in analyses of the six civic environmental associations led to the observations that: ‘externally-oriented’ ICT-linked practices were of greater importance than ‘internal practices’ amongst civic associations; that groups prioritized ‘digital green public sphere’ practices compared to ‘cyberactivism’; and these associations employed ICTs more frequently for ‘alliance-building’ than for ‘spatial transformations.’ Several of the cases illustrated how ICTs can enhance or augment existing alliances and potentially support new types of civic-cyber formations. By touching on questions of knowledge, power and space an info-sociational approach therefore can contribute to integrated explanations of how and why civic associations are using and (re)shaping ICTs in pursuit of their diverse aims for more livable and just cities.