Bristol says that this move is key to enhance its ability to be competitive in a global economy. The six foundations are: focus on city challenges, a city-wide innovation ecosystem, responsible innovation, innovation management and public service innovation.
The council is set to develop a flexible action plan of initiatives to start building on the digital foundations. The plans involve the development of a citizen-centric approach to data management, a Bristol Digital Twin as a virtual model city with analytics and visualisation tools, and stepping up the use of AI, machine learning and predictive analytics.
Other plans include the development of a council-wide data and information strategy and the installation of smart sensors on streetlights connected to the Bristol Operations Centre on 10% of the city’s streets.
Project manager Phil Higgins said: “The strategy takes an holistic approach to refocus our innovation to a challenge led approach – tackling the real world problems of citizens and the city – and identifies six pillars. This approach acknowledges that smart cities need a smarter council willing to work in new ways conducive to innovation.