Acclaim came in the form of a Geospatial World Excellence Award at a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.

Judges praised Glasgow for “providing global leadership in demonstrating how older, more established cities can be transformed into Smart Cities of the future” and added that the “programme was recognised around the world for its emphasis on quality of life outcomes”.

The Future City Glasgow programme is showcasing how technology can be used creatively to improve life in the city making it smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Innovations include projects such as the installation of new intelligent LED street lights on a section of off-road Clyde-side cycle route (near the SECC) – the energy efficient lights are fitted with sensors which detect approaching cyclists or pedestrians and increase the lights’ brightness as they get closer- lighting up the route ahead. The sensors also monitor data like footfall, air and noise pollution.

A state-of-the-art integrated city operations centre has also been created which brings together the teams monitoring the city’s CCTV and traffic cameras. Officers from Police Scotland are also based there and the operations centre proved instrumental in helping to keep the city moving during the successful 2014 Commonwealth Games. A new network of high definition CCTV cameras is also being installed across the city to replace the ageing, existing system. The intelligent street lights can also be controlled remotely from the operations centre.

The programme’s Open Glasgow project has also developed a cutting-edge data hub. The site offers easy access to around 400 datasets and contains information on everything from pass rates at individual driving test centres to footfall in retail areas. It is free and easy to access and the information has already been used to develop new products like apps. Glasgow City Council has also pledged to make all of its non-sensitive and non-personal data openly available to increase transparency and empower citizens with a treasure-trove of information which they could use, for example, to make their businesses more successful, create new gadgets or decide where to buy / rent a new home.

Future City Glasgow has also earned a Holyrood Connect Award for the most innovative use of ICT in delivering public services. The category recognises public sector projects which use technology to push the boundaries of what is possible and drive real innovation. Other nominees included the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, NHS Education for Scotland and the Registers of Scotland. The Future City Glasgow programme is transforming the way the city operates and has attracted international attention from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United States.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “It is wonderful that the Future City Glasgow programme is attracting such acclaim. These projects are true game-changers offering huge potential for the city of Glasgow, its citizens, academics and businesses. Clever use of technology and data can unlock immense opportunities, not only to enhance quality of life in the city but also to attract high calibre companies looking to recruit skilled staff and invest in the area. I know that the programme works in partnership with the city’s universities to share expertise and everyone from school pupils to community groups are also assisting with several of the projects.”

Glasgow won £24million in funding for the Future Cities programme from InnovateUk – the UK Government’s innovation agency.

 

Links

Follow Glasgow’s journey towards becoming a world-leading Smart City at http://futurecity.glasgow.gov.uk/