To What Extent Can Free Wireless Broadband Infrastructure Reinvigorate Church Square in Pretoria?
Date
2015
Authors
Pule, Katlego
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
Some critics of the information age believe that technology could potentially add to a public space’s genius loci as the internet is fast becoming ubiquitous in cities. Through investigating this phenomenon, this research report explored the impact of free wifi in Pretoria’s Church Square focusing on how it affects the functions and user’s social interactions within the space. The methods used for exploring this were adopted from existing case studies employing user surveys and various observations techniques. The findings revealed that free wifi alone cannot alter the user’s social interactions and the functions of Church Square to a great extent as there are other contributors to the space’s genius loci. Despite this limitation, the presence of free wifi adds another dimension by encouraging alternative methods of communication in Church Square.
Description
Planning Honours Report 2015, Wits University
Keywords
public space, internet, Church Square, communication, information age
Citation
Pule, K (2015). To What Extent Can Free Wireless Broadband Infrastructure Reinvigorate Church Square in Pretoria? , Johannesburg