Institutions, Community, and People: An Evaluation of a Longitudinal Digital Divide Experience

Abstract:

A community computing center was established in late 2001 in a city council high-rise apartment block in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. The center was one of five computing hubs (centers) of the Smart Newtown Project, established with economic
and social inclusion objectives, in the lower socio-economic suburb of Newtown. The project aim was to reduce inequalities
of access to information and communications technology (ICT). A partnership approach was adopted that included multiple stakeholders:
city council employees and councillors, a communications trust, universities, staff of a computer corporation, and some apartment
residents. After 4 years of operation, the center was closed and remains so at the time of writing. Using a theoretical framework
that includes Warschauer’s (2003) model of ICT for social inclusion, the concept of social capital, and Oldenburg’s (1991)
third place, this paper examines reasons for the center’s closure. The main findings reveal that low social capital and the
inadequate support of social resources in the form of the community and an institution were key factors in the closure of
this initiative. Recommendations are made for implementing future projects.

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