Digital Urban Lifestyles in Germany and Israel

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sebastian Kurtenbach
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 517467141

Studies on smart cities and digitization are often based on the idea that the digital involvement of individuals and their digital capital are central components that determine academic achievement, employment opportunities, and the quality of services and education. The spatial and physical environment is rarely the center of attention in these studies, and digitization is considered an independent, virtual infrastructure that supports city life. Utilizing these lenses, the present study examines the concept of the “Urban Digital Lifestyle,” which refers to the dynamic relationships among three dimensions: (1) the user’s socioeconomic status, (2) the user’s residence, with a focus on the locale’s socio-spatial characteristics, and (3) the user’s digital practices. These dimensions influence the urban lifestyle that city residents develop and cultivate. We also assume that the Digital Urban Lifestyle may vary in different types of neighborhoods, and thereby lead to different pathways for solutions or new emerging challenges. On this foundation, the research questions for the project are: •How is the Digital urban Lifestyle related to the spatial and material environment of an individual? •Does the Digital Urban Lifestyle reproduce inequalities? •Does it enhance processes of social segregation? Through a cross-cultural comparison, we want to gain a deeper understanding about the nexus between urban neighborhoods and Digital Urban Lifestyles. Therefore, we plan to conduct a comparative and multi-method analysis among selected neighborhoods in Cologne/Germany and Tel Aviv/Israel. Four neighborhoods in every city are selected, which vary in regard to their social and spatial profile. In each of the neighborhoods a survey (n=125) will be conducted, which includes a scale to measure digital urban lifestyle, what is one of the sustainable outcomes of the project. Furthermore, we want to conduct qualitative interviews with inhabitants and representatives (ten per neighborhood) to get a better insight how digital practices are embedded into daily routines. With such a cross-cultural comparison, it is possible to develop the concept of Digital Urban Lifestyle to a general approach in urban research. The project is coordinated by the Institute of Digitalization and Society (GUD) at the Münster University of Applied Science. The University of Tel Aviv will provide access to the Israeli research sites and organize the survey in Tel Aviv. Every year, an intern workshop will be organized as well as three peer-reviewed articles and policy document are planned.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• International Co-Applicant: Professorin Tali Hatuka, Ph.D.