Digitalization and smartening public governance of the European high north regions

Abstract

Balancing technological evolution, protection of the environment and social communities well-being has never been a simple task. However, while everything changes at an incredible fast-pace, public authorities, private entities and even civil society must accompany that movement. It is, therefore, crucial that primarily public officials and legislators build their activities on solid information, especially in places where a harsh climatic condition, sparse population distribution and longer distances make public involvement more difficult. The European high north is an example of a region where the recent phenomena of big data, certainly represents challenges because of its yet to fully developed infrastructure, but also opportunities for improving, people’s lives, and enhancing sustainable development, through smart mechanisms. In fact, digitalisation and new technologies can cause negative and/or positive consequences in the life of certain communities, depending on the means and purposes they are used for. This article intends to demonstrate how an adaptive, in other words smart governance approach (digitalized governance approach) – based on open, flexible and participatory tools – could improve the life of human beings in the territories of the European High North (EHN), preparing the  region and its inhabitants for the challenges of sustainable development.