As the only UK city to reach the final in Barcelona of the World Smart City Awards at the end of last year, Sunderland’s digital leaders were perfectly positioned to share their smart city achievements on a global stage.

As one of just six cities worldwide in the running for the coveted City Award title, Sunderland was proud to represent progress and fly the flag for the UK in Barcelona.

Attending the event were numerous partner organisations, alongside Patrick Melia, chief executive at Sunderland City Council, Liz St Louis, director of smart cities and enabling services at Sunderland City Council, and Charles O’Reilly, commercial director smart places, Sunderland, at Boldyn Networks. 

Their insights and experiences spurred thoughts around innovative city strategies and reshaping urban landscapes, and the positive impact smart initiatives can bring to Sunderland and other smart cities all over the world for 2024 and beyond. 

Recognising and supporting innovative city strategies

Embracing innovation and technology to build a better future has been central to Sunderland’s success to date. Rife with forward-thinking projects and ideas, the city’s focus remains firmly focused on the measurable impact upon residents’ lives as they drive forward initiatives to evolve the city into an even better place to live, work, play and invest.

Patrick Melia said: “Standing shoulder to shoulder with city leaders from across the globe at the recent World Smart City Awards was a timely reminder of how far we have come.

“Being immersed in such a vibrant environment, fuelled by progress and ambition, it was impossible to not absorb the energy and leave with a can-do attitude.”

“Central to Sunderland’s smart urban development is a commitment to create a blueprint for cities of the future. Cities that are more sustainable, resilient and responsive to the needs of their residents”

Liz St Louis added: “Global acknowledgement of Sunderland’s commitment to creating a smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive city was a real pinnacle of our progressive year.

“Smart urban development and the use of both innovative technologies and data-driven strategies to enhance the efficiency, sustainability and overall quality of life in Sunderland will undoubtedly be central to our initiatives across 2024 and beyond.”

By integrating digital technologies, connectivity, and data analytics, we can address a range of challenges faced by cities. For Sunderland, these include smart management of: air quality, traffic congestion, environmental sustainability, and numerous improvements to public services.

Key components of smart urban development will continue across Sunderland in 2024, and will include:

• Internet of Things (IoT): embedding sensors and devices in infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces to collect real-time data on various aspects like air quality, energy consumption, and traffic flow
• Data analytics: utilising advanced analytics to process and interpret the vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, enabling informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation
• Connectivity: robust communication networks, including superfast public wifi and 5G, will continue to facilitate seamless connectivity across the city centre and the coast. The number of access points more than tripled in 2023, and the council in partnership with Boldyn Networks, will continue this growth to expand free public wifi across Sunderland
• Urban mobility: implementing smart transportation solutions, such as intelligent traffic management, real-time public transportation updates, and the promotion of sustainable modes of transportation like electric vehicles and autonomous passenger shuttles
• Energy efficiency and sustainability: incorporating smart energy systems to optimise energy consumption in buildings, street lighting and other urban infrastructure are all part of Sunderland’s net zero ambitions. By implementing environmentally friendly practices, such as green building designs, waste management systems and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of the city, Sunderland is on track to realise significant savings in 2024
• Public services: enhancing the delivery of public services through digital platforms, the use of sensors across the city and a pioneering city-wide app to keep people up-to-date and engaged, are improving accessibility, whilst promoting citizen engagement
• Smart governance: implementing digital tools and platforms to improve administrative processes, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and enhance communication between the council and its residents, businesses and visitors.
• Innovation hubs: continuing to create spaces and initiatives that foster innovation and collaboration among businesses, research institutions, and the community to drive economic growth and technological advancements. Already successful in Sunderland is the 5G IoT Accelerator, launched in 2022 it has already propelled 10 tech startups to success with funding boosts, mentoring and enabling technologies to equip them to connect and compete on a global scale.

St Louis said: “Central to Sunderland’s smart urban development is a commitment to create a blueprint for cities of the future. Cities that are more sustainable, resilient and responsive to the needs of their residents.

“By leveraging technology and data, we are addressing urban challenges and creating environments that are more efficient and enjoyable for the people who live, work and play here.”

Innovation through collaboration

Sunderland is placing an emphasis on the tangible impact on the lives of residents and the positive transformation of cities to create more liveable, workable, enjoyable and investable places.

Recognising the 20-year strategic partnership between Sunderland City Council and Boldyn Networks, many innovative urban strategies, projects and ideas have been implemented over the last 12 months to equip Sunderland with a world-class digital infrastructure.

Initiatives span across various city services, delivering a comprehensive smart city solution that is revolutionising studying in the city, transport, social care, sports and esports, assisted living, environmental services, city planning, and more.

St Louis said: “We are creating data-enabled smart city solutions built on a network of networks, sensors, and a smart city data platform. This smart city data platform integrates data sources like sensor data, traffic patterns, air quality, environmental metrics, and more.

“Sunderland’s transformation has been driven by the unwavering belief that a smarter, more sustainable future for all is within our reach”

“Additionally, we combine sensor data with external sources such as central government environmental data and weather to create dashboards that help improve the delivery of city services. As a result, the platform empowers the city with real-time data for seamless operational and citizen services.”

Charles O’Reilly added: “At the forefront of innovation and technology, forging a brighter future, Sunderland is at the forefront of smart city developments. Sunderland’s ability to shine as a finalist in the World Smart City Awards ’City Award’ category signifies its unwavering commitment to transforming its urban landscape to benefit residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“Sunderland is harnessing the power of technology and data to create more efficient, inclusive and sustainable communities.”

Reshaping urban landscapes

On Sunderland’s journey towards becoming a smart city, there have been challenges as well as triumphs, underpinned by strong and lasting partnerships to reshape the city’s urban landscape.

St Louis stated: “It is so important to build trust and ambassadorship from the ground up. Leading a smart city isn’t just about making high-level decisions and telling people what is being done; it’s really about harnessing civic pride at a community level and embedding solutions that make a real difference to residents’ quality of life.

“Sunderland’s transformation has been driven by the unwavering belief that a smarter, more sustainable future for all is within our reach.”

O’Reilly added: “Boldyn Networks is excited to continue its journey, alongside Sunderland City Council, towards becoming a global benchmark for smart cities. We look forward to continuing to share our collective experiences, insights and innovations with the world as we evolve and demonstrate the positive impact of our innovative initiatives.”

Sunderland is open for business

Melia concluded: “In collaboration with Boldyn Networks, we are spearheading the creation of the UK’s smartest city right here in Sunderland. Cutting-edge wireless technologies continue to drive digital transformation for our residents, businesses and visitors, leaving no one and nowhere behind.”

Sunderland’s City Plan sets out our 2035 vision of a connected international city with opportunities for all – a smart city which is dynamic, vibrant and healthy.

To achieve our 2035 vision, Sunderland City Council and Boldyn Networks are creating the UK’s smartest city, leaving no one and nowhere behind. Advanced wireless technologies are facilitating digital transformation for all.

Be part of the connected city of Sunderland and find out more about how you and your business can grow, here.