Pucciarelli, Marta and Vannini, Sara (2017) Douala as a "hybrid space": Comparing online and offline representations of a Sub-Saharan city. Journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies. [Social Representations, ICTs and Community Empowerment Special issue Special issue].. ISSN 1613-3692 (Submitted)
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This study investigates the complex relationship between the physical and digital spaces of the city of Douala, Cameroon by comparing its online representation with the social representations emerging orally by locals. Using the results of two existing studies reporting on the online image of the city, we investigate the social representations foreigners and locally relevant people have of Douala and uncover similarities and discrepancies of the two resulting representations. Outcomes from the analysis permit reflection on the implications of these and show an unripe, intermediate stage of the “hybrid Douala”, where the virtual space seems still not to be affecting the way the physical space is experienced, as well as where the gaps in the digital divide are perpetuated. At the same time, strong local ownership of certain digital activities suggests how the online image of the city is in the process of being constructed and developed locally. As the spaces of the city start appearing online, the process of hybridization between physical and digital Douala is slowlytaking place and offline and online narratives, now rather detached, will possibly soon create a new image of the city to global online narratives.
| Item Type: | Scientific journal article, Newspaper article or Magazine article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Computer sciences > Computer science > Internet Computer sciences > Information systems > Databases Social studies > Human & social geography > Human & social geography by area > Human & social geography of Africa Social studies > Human & social geography > Human & social geography by topic > Urban geography Social studies > Human & social geography > Human & social geography not elsewhere classified Social studies > Development studies |
| Depositing User: | Marta Pucciarelli |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Apr 2017 05:18 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Apr 2017 05:18 |
| URI: | http://repository.supsi.ch/id/eprint/8300 |
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