Digital cities are being developed all over the world. Digital cities integrate urban information (both achievable and real-time ) and create public spaces for people living in the cities. From 1994, more than 100 European local organizations started to discuss digital cities. As a platform for community networks, information spaces using the city metaphor are being developed worldwide.
America Online (AOL) was founded in 1985 and their Internet service has more than 17 million members. AOL provides locally-focused online network services for 65 cities and the number is growing. Each AOL digital city collects tourist and shopping information of the corresponding city. Besides those information services, AOL provides local advertising opportunities for vertical markets including auto, real estate, employment, and health. The AOL digital city is the largest and most popular local information service in the US. The success of AOL digital cities shows that people need regional information services for their everyday life.
Key Activities: Online city guides, information from local enterprises,