Sao Paulo University School of Public Health-Environmental
and Citidep-Brasil.
Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715 Sao Paulo SP Brazil 01246 904; Email : jaborandi@uol.com.br
The author describes an exercise undertook for
evaluating the impacts, pros and cons, of up to date IT in gathering
non quantitative information . The method chosen consisted in
reproducing a PP consultancy program performed 8 years ago in
Sao Paulo City as part of the many events in preparation for the
Rio 92 Summit (5 Cities Consultation Project designed by the the
University of Toronto for learning the public perception about
the urban environment). The remaking of the Sao Paulo component
of that endeavor now is exclusively digital, mainly trough the
web, whereas back in 1991 mail, telephone and personal interviews
were the tools. The idea is to compare ceteris paribus the two
processes deriving conclusions regarding the many aspects involved
such as cost, quality vs speed, difficulties, etc. The list of
more than 40 institutions, from squatter associations up to the
most powerful industrial organization was maintained and whenever
possible the same individuals are being contacted in these institutions
(around one hundred and twenty). After preliminary conclusions
added to a pessimistic analytical introduction -- reflected in
the rather skeptical title -- the paper submits criticism to the
under- usage of computers in general in developing countries,
and proposes new approaches to be discussed at the Conference.
A feasible output would be CITIDEP members sponsoring the following
step capable of introducing advance in the use of Information
Technologies.