ICTs Encouraging Changes in the Citizen's Relationship with Government and Urban Space: Brazilian Examples

Abstract

The article discusses the influences of ICT mass usage, specially the Internet, on citizen's relations with the government and urban space. Recent advances on ICT are encouraging new forms of socialization, consumption, production, citizenship, and activism. Citizens are showing willingness to act and influence urban structures. They organize themselves in the virtual world, but think and act on the physical space. Brazilian examples of public manifestations and online activism initiatives originated or supported by social media and social networks illustrate the theory around ICT. The article concludes that new interfaces are emerging between citizens, the government, and urban spaces.