Effect of the Electronic City on Spatial Structure of a City, Case Study: Fardis (A Town in Iran)

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become a major development axis of the third millennium. A city changes due to the evolution of the urban space and emergence of the underlying concept of the new ICT. Important achievements of this era are more than its means (Internet، GPS and…). E-City provides the possibility of combining reality and cyberspace and makes being present beyond the time and space possible. Therefore، the city space which depends on physical and non-physical space and culture will change because of the new technology. Hence، realizing the necessity of the effect of E-City could be clearly seen in Iran as a new and efficient topic in urban areas. “Electronic City” is a term that still has no clear definition. Many local، municipal and central governments around the world، after being introduced to the discussions of the “information society summit”، are holding “regional summit. They have started moving toward the realization of E-City with the guidance and support of the “United Nations”. Each country implementing parts of it has on its agenda to finally realize the global determination to achieve “E-City”، “Information City” and the “Information society”. The term “E-City” has been around for less than a decade. The leading countries in ICT speak of the concept of new electronic services and optimum use of computer and internet. Of course، experts say that such concept appeared during the late 70’s when the theory of “intelligent systems” was introduced for the first time. It became more formal with the advent of electronic services in the late 80’s. But the reality is that using computer services is not the only key for improving E-Cities. Today، urban science theorists have concluded that the new definition for “city” must be provided، i. e.، city can’t be called a city without having communication technology and information standards. Urban theorists believe that if science wants to talk about this theory today، it should new criterion collection indices which separate the city from the other units such as village that certainly has an added element called “communication”. Mastery of computer in our lives today is associated with the information and communication technology. This is changing a major part of the basic human beliefs about the urban life. On one hand، ICT offers a new solution for the permanent conflict existing between the mankind’s need to “be together and create a society” and “the need to have privacy of undertaking various activities” using different spaces and places” on the other hand. Today، ICT is an inevitable reality affecting all areas of human life، especially in the urban communities. Fast exchange of information، communication and access to digital resources has added a new dimension to the collective and individual human life. This has led to the emergence of concepts like globalization and the global village which used to be a part of the human spatial limitation and could now be deleted in the framework of a “cyber space”. Experiences of developed countries regarding the effects of teleworking on city and work in urban life show that the amount of official working hours in countries is reducing. Increased hope of life is the direct result of these changes. Furthermore، new opportunities for choosing alternate lifestyles are provided. Development of these opportunities has led to formation of demand for a different mold in the city. Such that people’s longevity and lifespan increasing and less of their time is spent working. Thus the extra free time can be devoted to leisure، cultural development and continuing education. In other words، most of the free time is spent outside the home (spatial interpretation of this change is more need for places allocated to recreational، cultural، educational، artistic and sport activities in city). Furthermore، the houses should be more compatible with the changing needs of the people who have free time to spend at home. At first، homes should be equipped with the latest communication facilities. Secondly، since most of the family activities will be carried out within the home، it is necessary for the form and content of the homes be more diverse and have more quality. Hence، yards and private green spaces are found to be important in the design of the houses. This Research studies the first steps in this way، and tries to introduce a way to further study this category. Furthermore، it considers the status by analyzing the expert opinions on Fardis where a comprehensive plan which provides E-City services is achieved.