ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on "augmented spaces" is informed by a theoretical and conceptual analysis of the nature of the relationship and combination of physical and digital environments, supported however by "here and now" empirical observations and studies. It discusses the social constituents of urban space: the communities living in and shaping them. The book explores ways in which communities themselves are becoming "augmented" and indeed "augmenting" themselves from the grassroots, and what this can mean for the enhancement of democratic participation, public discourse, and shared knowledge. It examines the issues and challenges which economic regeneration strategies, planning and urban design face as civic spaces are getting increasingly augmented. The book reveals what institutions, municipalities and designers can or could do, in a proactive and structured way, and presents some different approaches and ideas on Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based regeneration.
