On the 28th of November, 36 practitioners, policy-makers, funders and academics gathered to share our research findings. We looked at how smart urban intermediaries ‘make things happen’ and considered implications for policy.
Socially smart cities: Making a difference in urban neighbourhoods
The ‘smart cities’ movement has emphasised the contribution that technologies can make to tackling complex problems at the interface between urban institutions and the people who live and work in cities.
Birmingham’s final local lab – some concluding reflections
Smart urban intermediaries came together in Birmingham in May 2019 for their final ‘local lab’ workshop. The event was a chance for participants to reconnect with one another and share their thoughts and experiences.
Discovering Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath
Alison Gilchrist, the research fellow on the Birmingham team, describes her initial explorations of their ‘anchor neighbourhood’ just to the east of the inner-city. She shows how the combined Sparkbrook/Balsall Heath area meets the project’s criteria for somewhere that is vibrant, diverse and active in finding solutions to local challenges.