Data will make our cities smarter

MIPIM 2019: Public fear overs data-sharing is one of the biggest barriers to creating smart cities. Panellists at EG event “The Rise of Data-led Cities” agreed that the industry must make the benefits of sharing data more apparent. Pat Ritchie, chief executive at Newcastle City Council, said: “There is much more to do around public understanding of the importance of data within a city.” Ritchie pointed to lessons from Cisco, which created the UK’s smartest street with internet of things sensors installed in bins and street lamps to gather real-time data on waste management and lighting, as well as monitoring traffic and air quality. Cisco made the data public, working with schools and groups, and translated this into parking space availability, congestion and even road surface quality insights. Ritchie added: “Our experience has been, particularly on sharing information within the health sector, that people opt into it. By and large they want to because they can see a benefit to it; they think it’s important that different parts of the system talk to one another. It’s that demonstrable benefit to capture people’s imagination.” Meanwhile, Jamie Holmes, chief executive officer at smart city data platform VU.CITY, has had a similar experience. He said 21 London councils use VU.CITY to assess planning applications – for example, examining the environmental impact. He said: “That is advancing the conversation and as a result people recognise how the data is being used and trust it more. There is more clarity.” The Greater Manchester Combined Authority also prioritised winning over the public when it launched CityVerve. It surveyed thousands of residents to gather real-time data on transport and public safety. Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of the GMCA, said: “The most important thing was getting the trust of the people using that area, that the data was being used in a way that was supportive to them – that is as important as the technology itself. “What we found interesting was when we were using data to improve health and social care integration, the question was turned on its head – people were saying ‘Why on earth haven’t you been doing that for years?’” John Miu, chief operating officer at Royal Albert Dock, agreed that when populations understand the benefits of sharing personal data they are more acceptant. “Asia learnt by sacrifice,” said Miu. “We accept and expect that they use our data for our convenience, they use it to improve our lifestyle. People will always worry about how their data is being used. We’ve got to understand we are living in a global society. Our data is always at risk, nobody can hide from it.” The panel Eamonn Boylan, chief executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority Jamie Holmes, chief executive officer, VU.CITY John Miu, chief operating officer, Royal Albert Dock Pat Ritchie, chief executive, Newcastle City Council Chaired by Emily Wright, head of special projects and tech editor, EG In partnership with Knowledge partner           EG is proud to continue its role as official media partner at the world’s leading property market event. With a focus on promoting UK investment through a global lens, click here to follow the latest news, read EG’s new investor guides and keep up to date with social media. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette