1

The Italian experience: The Italian experience: Milano and BolognaMilano and Bologna

Leonardo Sonnante e@cn, RCM and AIReC

Sheffield, September 2nd, 1999

EACN UK Launch ConferenceCOMMUNITY NETWORKING FOR

THE NEW MILLENNIUM

2

CNs in ItalyCNs in Italy

A comprehensive and reliable picture on Community Networks does not exist

Community Networks (Reti Civiche),

Digital Cities, Telecities, City Web,

Servizio Telematico Pubblico

3

From a survey by Censis, Assinform, RUR“Digital Cities in Italy”, Report 1998

More than 1.100 digital cities in Italy but... There isn’t a clear distinction among

different experiences450 local government institutions with

a public web site

many web sites “for tourists”

Digital cities in ItalyDigital cities in Italy

4

“Community” is a secondary aspect and the largest part of them doesn't support it

Interactive services but poor citizen participation Modena, Siena: certification

paymentsaccess to public acts and public databases

CNs promoted by PACNs promoted by PA

CNs are conceived as a public service provided to the city, so:

5

Free of charge “civic network” on Internet,promoted and managed by the Municipality

ruling and developing territory

administrative innovation right of information as a socially-due service rationalization of offices’ and sectors’ activities

and actions

Iperbole, CN of BolognaIperbole, CN of Bologna

6

Giving access is not enough...Next step: giving interactive services

Message routing

Fora of discussion area Digital Signature Training courses on ICT for citizens

(“Telematic Literacy and Formation Centre for Digital Bologna”)

Spaces for parties/political groups during elections

Iperbole interactive servicesIperbole interactive services

7

RCM: the design principlesRCM: the design principles

strongly inspired by U.S. free nets (Cleveland, Seattle, etc)

computer professionals as enablers of the social actors

slogan: “You are the network” bottom-up development

the CN as a "gymnasium" for learning the basics

of the net

8

RCM: the design principlesRCM: the design principles

Citizens and no-profit AssociationsCitizens and no-profit Associations Local Government InstitutionsLocal Government Institutions Public librariesPublic libraries Health servicesHealth services SchoolsSchools Private SectorPrivate Sector

CN as a tool for supporting communication, cooperation and services in the whole local community

9

RCM and citizensRCM and citizens

7000 citizens accounts 400 local discussion groups 300 moderators selected among the users 3 coordinators elected among moderators

Daily accesses: 50.000 to the FCIS Server (BBS + Web) 15.000 to the main Web Server

10

RCM and InstitutionsRCM and Institutions

Services provided by Municipality, County, Region, Chamber of Commerce

Active Citizens become inspirers/designers of on-line public services

Cf. "A Citizen-driven Civic Network as Stimulating Context for Designing On-line Public Services" Casapulla G., De Cindio F., Gentile O., Sonnante L.PDC98, 5thParticipatory Design Conf., Seattle, WA USA, Nov., 1998

11

RCM and Private SectorRCM and Private Sector

Few (but significant) experiences: AMSA, AEM, Du Pont, Cybermercato, Apple, I.Net, La Sana Dispensa, Librerie Mondadori, Week-end a Firenze

Conferences (forums) like: - “The on-line expert answers”: lawyer, fiscal-expert - “Buy&Sell”(Work, home, computers, etc.)

12

RCM: outstanding featuresRCM: outstanding features

being a means for stimulating the dialogue between local government institutions and citizens

being open to the private sector

being a "reusable" experience (in smaller towns)

A.I.Re.C. (Association of CNs) Lombardia

13

AIReC approachAIReC approach

Different promoters (Municipalities, University, Citizens Associations, a company) and technologies but all CNs in AIReC share the same principles,that enforce the sense of community:

Free access Citizens certification (and recognition)

Local netiquette

Interactivity and participation

Free email to all citizens

14

CNs in AIReCCNs in AIReC

CNs:CNs: neither subjects, nor neither subjects, nor

users, nor clients, but users, nor clients, but

sovereign citizenssovereign citizens

P. di SONDRIO

ONDE

RC MANTOVA

RCCR

INSIEME

RC LARIANA

RECSANDO

RCM

RC NOVARA

RC BIELLA

RCBEST