信息化在区域经济发展特别是老工业基地改造中的作用问题是信息地理学关注的焦点之一。在初步分析了信息化可促进老工业基地产业结构优化和区域空间重组的角色后,通过世界上较成功的德国鲁尔区、法国洛林区和英国东北部的老工业区改造实践.具体展示了信息化在振兴老工业基地中的重要作用。研究表明.以信息化提升传统产业并积极发展信息产业是推动老工业基地产业转型成功的重要动力.但信息化不能完全解决老工业基地难题.它只是其中最重要的一环而不是全部.
Informatization and the transformation of old industrial bases is an important proposition of information geography. The role of informatization in revitalizing old industrial bases is to promote upgrading of the industrial structure and reorganize regional spatial structure. The revitalization of old industrial areas in Ruhr,Lorraine and North East England proved that informatization is very important. The research indicated that the key to transforming old industrial base is to upgrade traditional industries and develop information industry positively by informatization,but informatization is one of the most important part rather than all.