REGIONAL CHANGE OF ICT USING INDUSTRIES IN THE NETHERLANDS

There are two classical and opposite perspectives on the effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on spatial economic development: dispersal or concentration. In this paper we analyse the dynamics in the spatial pattern of the ICT using industries in the period 1991-2002. We conclude that particularly the urban centres and the areas just outside of these centres had a loss of their share in the ICT-related employment and that the more rural areas are catching up. There is not a general dispersal of ICT-related employment over non-central areas though, but rather an emergence of new agglomeration areas at both the urban fringe and non-central locations within the urban system. ICT use as such does lead to spatial developments different from general spatial changes: not in general trends but particularly in a much larger magnitude of the dynamics. Copyright (c) 2005 by the Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG.