Digital and data: the keys to levelling up

COMMENT: As political leadership in government changes, the future of levelling up is drawn into question. Despite the flux, the levelling up agenda still has a prominent place in leadership debates – and, critically, in the £4.8bn fund available for local authorities to invest in overall economic development; raising living standards, creating job opportunities, and improving infrastructure. But what role can digital and data play in the broader plans?  One of the perennial challenges in economic development has been gathering intelligence about a place – what are the local strengths and weaknesses, growing and shrinking companies, priority public transport, housing and green infrastructure needs? Thankfully, it’s an area where start-ups, local authorities and central government are demonstrating the art of the possible. Machine learning and automation Local authorities are increasingly realising the importance of having an accurate and granular picture, fed by data, of their places. With accurate, joined-up, understandable data and information, they can better manage services, prioritise public investment and attract patronage and private investment.  The Data City is an innovative data-driven start-up that is taking a digital and data-first approach to tracking the emerging economy. Instead of using Standard Industrial Classification codes, which are a lagging indicator that struggle to keep up with the emergence of new sectors, it has created Real Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs). By using machine learning to scour the web for all companies, including those whose activities are not well captured by SIC measurement, its platform is able to produce real-time analysis of emerging companies and sectors across the country. The Data City worked with Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, MIDAS, to comprehensively map its tech sector, allowing it to use the most up-to-date data to encourage further investment into the region. There are also great examples of where automation and data science can be used to build efficiences, such as Devon County Council, which upgraded its reporting system so the trading standards team had more time to focus on higher-priority cases.  In another approach, How Busy Is Toon? – created as part of a local partnership in Newcastle – brings together CCTV feeds, public transport and cultural information in a simple interface that now supports city operations. Storytelling and engagement But gathering useful data on its own is only one step of the journey. Data and digital also have the potential to engage investors, residents and visitors in the future of a place by shaping a story around the information and vision for the future. This is something we feel particularly passionate about at TPXimpact. Recently, we’ve been working with Camden Council to digitise the humble planning notice, making better use of the data in a planning application but also creating a more user-friendly way of understanding and commenting on the change any development might bring to the local area.  We’ve also been supporting Durham County Council to combine modern AI technology and historical archives to create an in-person experience that’s intriguing and inspiring, tempting visitors to learn, explore and engage more deeply.  Digitising government A very large challenge to the levelling-up puzzle are the mechanisms around funding. Government bodies and agencies key to levelling up, such as Homes England, need a digital and data mindset to get the right money to the right places as efficiently as possible.   The digital transformation of the planning system is one of the few elements of planning reform to make it relatively unscathed from the white paper to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. This could lead to a faster planning process and leave a data trail, rather than a paper trail, that others can use to better analyse the changing nature of places. But a block to accessing this funding continues to be the process of applying. As the design partner for DLUHC’s funding service, we’re digitally transforming the way that application forms are designed, making it easier for people to apply and simpler for civil servants to assess applications, capturing better data along the way to inform future policy. These approaches all echo the sometimes repetitive and trend-driven approach to economic development – insular comparison. Looking only to the UK for inspiration limits our potential. At the global level, the Metroverse “global economy navigator” is a tool that helps a place find cities across the globe that could be useful comparators to understand different growth and diversification paths for their future. Ultimately, embracing digital and data presents us with a massive opportunity. We must understand the unique needs of our places if we’re going to design and deliver the best outcomes for people, and embracing digital ways of engaging people to co-create visions for the future of places is going to result in better and better supported plans for change. Stefan Webb is place director at FutureGov