Over the last 18 months, Glasgow has developed various innovative initiatives to showcase smart city technology. For example, Glasgow is part of a global network of ‘future cities’ to unlock the potential of using ‘open data’ by using it in smart ways to make Glasgow a better place to be. Data is key to delivering smart city transitions and decarbonisation at the lowest cost and Glasgow also recognises that without access to real-time and reliable data, a smart city cannot thrive.

Glasgow has been exploring how it can use technology to make its streets safer, making it easier for people get active and improve their health. Glasgow is keen to understand how it can better use, save and generate energy, whilst also combining ‘open data’ and technology to make a real difference to the lives of its citizens. Glasgow is committed to putting people at the heart of its future.

The Swedish City of Helsingborg is working with WSP on a five-year urban development plan, including converting and linking 30,000 outdoor ‘smart’ lighting posts, all connected to deliver energy efficiency and enhanced security and wellbeing for city residents. Beyond traditional replacement of lighting to more efficient LED for energy and carbon savings, Helsingborg and WSP’s development of citywide IoT platform links all the lighting assets with a system of remote sensors across the city.

This unified system will allow Helsingborg to consider integrated datasets to ensure maximum efficiency in different areas of the city to ensure lights go on and off when they are actually needed to ensure public safety, but also to mitigate lighting impacts on biodiversity, as street lighting can interfere with insect populations. The complexity of interactions between public safety, carbon reduction and biodiversity in the delivery of a single service, streetlighting, shows the practical need for smart, data-led approaches.