UKBT Report

Smart Cities: Connected Communities 2025

Smart City: Connected Communities report features a range of different voices, from technologists and academics, to residents, providing rich and diverse context and insight. This will be critical in a challenging post-Brexit and Covid era. Connected communities and cohesion will be vital to socio-economic development, and the future of the UK. It offers a unique focus and perspective, informed by an ethos of diversity and inclusivity. Tapping into the true value that British people can deliver is a central aspect of this process, and thus is a focus of the discussion in the white paper.

UKBlackTech wanted to write a report on innovation within inner cities across the UK. While there are varying definitions and many ways in which cities can be considered ‘smart,’ smart cities are a framework in which technologies, infrastructure and people combine to deliver not just social and economic growth, but sustainability and inclusivity too.

Much of the conversation around smart cities so far has focussed on data, technology, and security, and while these are important topics of discussion smart cities must be accessible, climate friendly and serve the needs of the communities and stakeholders in the local area. This means we must continually listen to stakeholders, disability groups and communities from all socio-economic backgrounds to ensure they have a voice when it comes to the development of smart cities. This will help to create an environment where people feel they are included and their input matters.

Recommendations



1. IMPROVE ACCESS TO VENDORS LISTS TO CREATE A MORE DIVERSE AND INNOVATIVE SUPPLY CHAIN

2. USE UNIVERSITIES AS MODELLING HUBS TO TEST SMART CITIES CAPABILITIES

3. LISTEN TO AND WORK WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND EXPERTS FOR ALL

4. PLEDGE TO GREATER TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY AROUND
DATA COLLECTION

5. SECURITY MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR AUTHORITIES AS MORE SMART CITY TECHNOLOGY IS IMPLEMENTED

6. REPURPOSE EXISTING ASSETS TO REDUCE THE RELIANCE ON NEW SYSTEMS

7. ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY IS IN THE DNA OF SMART CITIES

8. TRAINING AND SKILLS TRANSFORMATION IN ENGINEERING MUST BECOME A PRIORITY

9. SMART TECHNOLOGY MODELING SHOULD BE USED TO MEET NET-ZERO TARGETS

10. SMART CITY STRATEGIES MUST INCORPORATE MORE GREEN SPACES

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