New report highlights latest UK cities trends
Trends ranging from devolution to public sector contracts discussed
Trends ranging from devolution to public sector contracts discussed
A new quarterly report will be launched today at Innovate 2017 in Birmingham, analysing the latest trends taking place in cities across the UK, and at local and national government.
Published by Future Cities Catapult, the Government-backed centre of expertise in urban innovation, the ‘City Innovation Brief’ summarises key developments and changes from cities across the UK, identifying where money is being invested and what future opportunities might look like within the advanced urban services sector.
Insights have been gathered across multiple themes including political, economic, environmental and societal, to shine a light on what UK cities are doing, thinking and are concerned about.
Highlights from this report covering the second quarter (Jul-Sept 2017) include:
Once thought of as a luxury rather than necessity, the report identifies millions of pounds being spent on urban services that are infused in innovations. As Bristol was recently recognised by Huawei’s UK Smart Cities Index 2017 as overtaking London in its smart city capabilities, lots of other cities are stepping up their attempts in using technology to tackle urban challenges from air quality to congestion.
Mayor Sadiq Khan will be publishing his ‘Smart London Plan’ next year, and Belfast City Council has recently launched its Smart City Framework, harnessing the strength of Belfast’s digital sector and encouraging greater innovation and collaboration between local businesses, universities and the public sector.
Nicola Yates, Chief Executive Office at Future Cities Catapult said: “Managing the ongoing growth and complexity of our cities requires the very best of human ingenuity, and fortunately the UK has a wealth of innovative companies that can help. We call this the advanced urban services sector.
“In this and in future issues, our City Innovation brief will show how cities across the UK are harnessing advanced urban services to help them become more productive, sustainable, inclusive, resilient and more liveable.
“Through the latest sector trends and deep-drive insights from city officials we will share and champion best practice in the sector, providing opportunities for cities to learn from one and another.”
The first issue of Future Cities Catapult’s City Innovation Brief is available at: http://futurecities.catapult.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/City-Innovation-Brief-Autumn-2017_Q2.pdf