Study of Cyber Space Impact on UrbanSustainable Development in Iran: A Provincial Approach

Urban population in Iran is increasing. It is supposed to intensify the usage of raw materials, vehicles, energy and etc., and consequently lead to the environmental pollution which is a barrier to sustainable development realization. Therefore, along with the process of urban development settling down, its environmental consequences should be managed as well. Meanwhile information and communication technology (ICT) application such as E- Government, E-Commerce and etc., could play a vital role in reducing the subsequent negative impacts on environment. This has been considered as the main theme of this study.
In this study, it is attempted to assess the impact of information and communication technology on Urban Sustainable Development process in Iran, using provincial data through Panel Data technique. The hypothesis was tested separately for developed and less developed provinces of Iran.
Findings: The results imply that ICT had significant and positive impacts on improving the environment and achieving sustainable development (just) in developed provinces.
Seemingly, this attributed to the differences in degree of ICT penetration and institutionalization amoung developed and less developed provinces.