Cultural planning and Chaos Theory in Cyberspace: some notes on a Digital Cultural Atlas Project for Western Sydney

• Main Authors: Elaine Lally, Bob Hodge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Open Humanities Press 2006-01-01
• Series: Fibreculture Journal
• Subjects: cultural planning; chaos theory; complexity theory; digital technologies
• Online Access: http://nine.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-056-cultural-planning-and-chaos-theory-in-cyberspace-some-notes-on-a-digital-cultural-atlas-project-for-western-sydney/

This article explores the intersection between digital technologies and cultural planning. New information technologies ought to enable more powerful planning strategies. Yet a common seductive vision of planning is mirrored by utopian claims for cyberculture, which often fall short of the hoped-for reality. We suggest that one problem is the linear thinking common to mainstream planning and digital thinking, which leads to a cumulative lack of fit with the non-linear (chaotic) world of social action. We draw on chaos and complexity theory to reframe planning problems and develop more creative digital strategies in a specific location, Western Sydney, using and adapting Geographic Information Systems.