‘Smart’ move on city’s future
INNOVATIVE DIGITAL BLUEPRINT REVEALED
AMBITIOUS plans for a massive digital transformation in Newcastle have been unveiled.
Proposals to turn Newcastle into the UK’s leading ‘smart city’ are expected to be given the green light by council chiefs next week.
If approved by cabinet members, Newcastle City Council will look to secure a deal with a new ‘technological partner’ to deliver innovative digital services to help tackle issues such as parking problems, traffic congestion, and air quality.
Coun Joyce McCarty, the council’s deputy leader, said: “Newcastle is a city that faces forward, embracing change. For us, technology is all about possibilities.
“Our plans will pave the way for Newcastle to be a pioneering city and accelerate our digital revolution.
“We have strong foundations in place – with our national reputation as the leading destination for the digital sector, the partnership with Cisco to have the UK’s smartest street, as well as developing talent within this field with our outstanding educational and research facilities.
“But I believe there is more we can do to go further, faster and more dynamically which is why I am seeking a technological partnership with an organisation to help us put these ambitions into actions.”
As part of the Great Exhibition of the North, Mosley Street has become Britain’s “smartest street” through a partnership with computer giant Cisco that has seen a range of digital sensors installed to collect data that could help develop new services.
A report to next Monday’s cabinet meeting states that Newcastle “risks stagnating in our digital progress, losing ground on other cities both within the UK and internationally and therefore not maximising on opportunities for economic growth” if it does not press ahead with rolling out these innovations.
It adds that a new ‘tech partner’ will help the council support vulnerable people in their homes at reduced cost and improve other civic centre services, as well as funding the deployment of the new technology.
Coun McCarty added: “Our passion for a digital revolution is driven by all we know it can deliver.
“That’s why we need to be leaders in this. To ensure that our brave new world of data and innovation puts people first.”
The council says it has “big ambitions” for improving its digital services in the coming year, and is undertaking a number of small pilot schemes in areas including public bins and housing.
It is expected that a deal with a new tech partner could be agreed in the autumn, as the council seeks to build on the city’s existing infrastructure and improve connectivity and sensor capabilities.