Smart Cities

Building successful UK sectors in smart cities, cyber and physical security and realising the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) is at the heart of the Digital Built Britain initiative. But what is the IoT and how can construction make the most of the opportunities it affords?

Are electric highways the answer to the range problem? Harry Hoster explores the potential for electric vehicle charging without the wires and muses on a dense network of roads that can charge vehicles on the move.

Information is now another key material to consider when it comes to the design of public spaces. Silvio Carta from the University of Hertfordshire explores street smarts and the potential of big data for designers.

Mark Bew MBE, chairman at PCSG and the UK BIM Task Group, shared his thoughts on the UK's Level 2 BIM programme and revealed that a BIM Level 3 mandate will form part of Digital Built Britain plans.

By 2030, 60% of the world’s population is expected to live in mega-cities. How all those people live, and what their lives are like, will depend on important choices leaders make today and in the coming years.

How can we put bacterial ‘builders’ to work on a new generation of construction materials? Martyn Dade-Robertson explores the potential of synthetic biology and its role in building the cities of the future…

BIM Level 2 – Was it worth it? Is it working? And what support can we expect for BIM Level 3?

The cities of tomorrow are smart - technologically-connected, sustainable and reactive. But what does this actually mean? We seek clarity on definitions, look at the importance of emerging models and standards and ask whether inhabitants can expect a better quality of life.

We explore the benefits of open data and the opportunities it affords.

We explore the practical realities of the modern smart city and how a range of technological innovations can help improve quality of life.