Do social media play a role in citizen participation and local governance to trigger the energy transition?
Social media are fast becoming a place where change can happen.
Social networks and websites with usergenerated content can improve interactivity between the municipality and the public.
They enhance local democracy, can rebrand the territory’s image, can reach people less familiar with traditional media and build communities.
The social network “De toit à toit” (“From roof to roof”) managed by the Public Housing Agency of the City of Paris (Office Public de l’Habitat) is a good example. Launched in September 2011, it enables 250,000 tenants to share in local initiatives and to get to know
their neighbours.
Local governments should see social media not as a threat, but as a chance to improve political action. Active citizens expressing their desires on their city’s present and future can only be beneficial to accelerate a widely supported transition.
Energy Cities has also developed a significant online network of over 1,000 Facebook friends and over 900 “likers” that can exchange and easily spread best practices and striking examples of sustainable energy policy.
www.facebook.com/Energy.Cities
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