Assessing the Influence of Development of Virtual Spaces on Economic, Social and Physical Processes of Tehran City, from the Viewpoint of Citizens;Case Study: District 6 of Tehran Municipality

This study was performed using the descriptive-analytic research method to assess various relationships among the physical form of urban places and development of electronic places in the context of social, economic and physical processes. By providing a valid and reliable theoretical basis, the conceptual framework of the study was examined in a case study (District 6 of Tehran Municipality was selected because of its existing virtual potentials) by going through scientific steps. In expanding different viewpoints, the highest level of advantage was taken from the theoretical approach to the social and political constructs of technology. The primary objectives of the research were also determined based on the results of assessment of the viewpoint of citizens on the influence of development of virtual spaces on economic, social and physical processes. Results indicated that the rate of usage of some virtual services (such as the Internet, banks and institutes electronic network, spending leisure time, city electronic portal, etc.) is high among citizens. In addition, results of the assessment of the viewpoints of citizens on the positive effects of development of the cyber technology on economic, sociocultural and physical processes showed that development of the cyber technology has a positive effect on these processes. Therefore, development of virtual spaces and transition from conventional processes provides for overcoming temporal and physical obstacles and limitations in the district. It also will drastically reduce the frequency of physical visits paid by citizens to receive services.