Leading data infrastructure is helping power better lives in Sunderland

How can cities transform the ways they collect, analyse and visualise data? Then, how can they use those data-driven insights to make daily life better for residents, businesses and communities? Sunderland City Council is answering these questions through a 20-year partnership with shared communications infrastructure company Boldyn Networks, and enabling an ecosystem of providers including Microsoft’s AI Cloud Partner Programme. 

Data is the foundation of a smarter Sunderland 

At the heart of Sunderland’s digital transformation is a secure, cloud-based data architecture that underpins the city’s entire smart ecosystem. 

Built on Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Azure Data Services and OpenAI Cognitive Services, the platform allows the council to ingest, store, analyse and visualise data from hundreds of sources – from open city data to sensitive social care information – in a secure and ethical way. 

By consolidating and processing this data in real time, the council can identify trends, predict needs and make informed decisions faster than ever before. 

It’s a shift from reactive service delivery to proactive, data-led decision-making – with measurable benefits across public safety, social inclusion, city planning and sustainability. 

Liz St Louis, director of smart cities and enabling services at Sunderland City Council, said: “Our data platform is the backbone of a smarter Sunderland. It’s helping us understand what’s really happening across the city – where services are needed, where communities need extra support and how we can plan for the future. 

“This isn’t about technology, it’s about making better decisions for people. We’re using data to connect the dots between people, place and potential.” 

Turning insight into action

The city’s Smart City Data Platform brings together a wide range of anonymised and aggregated data to inform how services are designed, delivered and improved: 

• City planning and events dashboards – integrating real-time data on footfall, spend and travel patterns to help Sunderland Business Improvement District and partners shape safer, more vibrant city experiences and events 
• Environmental hotspot mapping – visualising data on waste, air quality and fly-tipping to identify problem areas and plan targeted interventions 
• Strengthening communities insights – combining demographic, economic and community data to help the council and partners better understand residents’ needs and direct support where it has the greatest impact 
• Digital exclusion modelling – analysing broadband usage and socio-economic indicators to identify households at risk of digital exclusion, guiding the rollout of Digital Health Hubs, device donation schemes and social broadband campaigns 
• Social care data integration – using anonymised assessment and case data to forecast demand, identify repeat contacts and apply AI to detect trends and improve care outcomes.

Through this layered approach, Sunderland is embedding data into every part of civic life – from daily service management to long-term strategy. 

Liz added: “Whether it’s using AI to forecast adult social care demand, analysing footfall to shape city events, or tracking environmental reports to guide enforcement; the insights from our data platform are helping us deliver faster, fairer, smarter outcomes for residents.” 

A trusted, ethical and scalable approach

The platform operates across two secure and mirrored instances: one of which manages open, location-based data such as footfall, connectivity and environmental metrics; and another which handles sensitive council and partner data used for social care, safety and health insights. All running over the city’s 5G network backbone deployed by Boldyn Networks.  

This dual structure ensures scalability, efficiency and security – allowing the council to work with partners including the police, fire service, health providers and universities to deliver coordinated, real-time responses to emerging needs. All of the work is underpinned by data protection regulations and data sharing agreements to ensure legally compliant frameworks exist to safely share data and to safeguard personal information.  

Brendan O’Reilly, CEO UK & Ireland at Boldyn Networks, said: “Sunderland’s approach to data is visionary – it’s not about collecting information for the sake of it, but about applying insight to improve lives.

“What we’re building here is a world-leading example of how public-private collaboration can unlock real social and economic value.”

From insight to inclusion

Sunderland’s commitment to data-driven inclusion is already creating measurable social impact. 

Using aggregated financial, health and community data, the city has been able to: 

• Identify more than 670 additional pupils eligible for Free School Meals, delivering around £1,100,000 in support to schools and local families through the pupil premium, family meal savings and HAF benefits 
• Reach over 30,000 residents with targeted digital inclusion campaigns. 
• Support more than 10,000 people via 37 Digital Health Hubs located across the city – improving access to online health services and essential skills.

These outcomes are possible because of a city-wide commitment to open data, shared insight and ethical use of technology. 

The power of data for a connected future

The data platform doesn’t just describe the city as it is – it helps shape what it can become. Through digital simulation, AI-driven forecasting and data visualisation, Sunderland can simulate scenarios such as traffic management, infrastructure planning and energy use, giving decision-makers the evidence they need to plan effectively and sustainably. 

Microsoft, a key technology partner in Sunderland’s smart city journey, praised the city’s people-first, responsible approach.  

Zephaniah Chukwudum, Sales Director, Public Sector, Microsoft UK, said: “Sunderland City Council is demonstrating what’s possible when technology is applied with purpose. By using Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Azure within a responsible and secure data framework, the council is unlocking insights that help deliver better services and improve outcomes for residents across the city.” 

A model for smart cities everywhere

Sunderland’s pioneering use of data is fast becoming a model for other cities – demonstrating how insight-led innovation can deliver growth, sustainability and fairness. 

Through strong partnerships, intelligent infrastructure and a clear commitment to social value, Sunderland is showing that data is not just a by-product of smart cities – it’s the engine that drives them. 

“We’re building a city where data is used responsibly and creatively – not just to make systems smarter, but to make lives better, and we’re committed to leaving no one and nowhere behind,” said Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities and Enabling Services, Sunderland City Council. 

“Our city welcomes innovation and collaboration. We have the digital infrastructure, the expertise and the drive, and we’re inviting like-minded businesses – from startups to global organisations – to come and support us in Sunderland. Leverage our capabilities, connect with our ecosystem, and use our smart city as a platform to drive your own ambition and growth.”