Council reveals action plan to make city a ‘testbed’ for technology.
Milton Keynes City Council has unveiled an ambitious plan aimed to tackle climate change, enhance public health and deliver more cost-efficient public services to the city.
The proposal, called ‘Smart City Action Plan’, supports the city council’s current technology and digital strategy that’s designed to grow MK’s global reputation as a smart city and home of innovation. It sets out the council’s innovation goals and the workplan over the next two years. A council decision to approve the plan is set for next week.
A fundamental part of the plan is to enable advanced technologies to operate in MK and encourage more innovative trials to address social challenges including sustainability, access to healthcare and rising costs of public services. Key initiatives include:
- Enhanced partnerships – working closely alongside partners, including The Open University, to drive marketing and engagement through the MK:Smart programme, a joint partnership to align smart city work
- Engagement – launching a comprehensive plan to involve residents through the new Experience Centre at centre:mk, a joint initiative between private sector partners and the city council, serving as a shop window for customers to experience and interact with robots and digital technologies
- Developing the testbed – the city council’s plans to build a world-leading city as a ‘testbed’
The council says it will continue to support national innovation projects, positioning MK as a hub where cutting-edge technologies can be tested and scaled to benefit modern urban environments.
And it has asked any organisation with an interest in trialling new technologies in an urban environment to contact the city council through Invest Milton Keynes on enquiries@investmiltonkeynes.com.
Last month more than 1,000 people attended the council’s Artificial Intelligence Festival which brought together tech experts and businesses to showcase cutting-edge technologies that the city will benefit from in the future. Plans are already underway for next year’s Milton Keynes Tech Week event.
Milton Keynes has an enviable reputation as a ‘testbed’ where researchers can trial initiatives to help modern cities become greener and more pleasant places to live and work.
Current live trials in the city involve self-driving shuttles, urban drone deliveries, and advanced radio communications. Already one in three jobs in the city are in technology, and the council is determined to encourage further local tech investment, creating more skilled jobs for local people.
“We’re really passionate about tech and innovation in Milton Keynes, especially if it means we can tackle climate issues, improve access to public health, create local jobs and deliver better public services for our residents,” said Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability and Innovation.
“Our Smart City Action Plan ensures we continue to break down barriers between emerging tech and everyday life to prioritise how our residents can benefit. If you have an idea for a smart city trial that can improve the lives of Milton Keynes residents, we want to hear from you.”
More details here: Tech, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy
