Introducing Smart Places

Smart buildings are no longer a new concept; their guiding principles are becoming increasingly established as they mature. Buildings can now produce performance metrics in real-time, based on user behaviour and patterns, enabling greater efficiency and improved user experience. The latest developments in digital technology present the opportunity to extend this approach to the design of neighbourhoods and cities – Introducing ‘Smart Places’. 

“A comprehensive, high speed, high-capacity digital infrastructure offers huge opportunity to our public services and environment. Enabling better informed, more responsive decision-making will shape the future of our cities and ultimately help to make a more accessible, equitable and healthier place.”  

By incorporating digital infrastructure from the outset, the benefits to the community will spin out in ever-growing depth. An integrated, comprehensive, community-wide digital infrastructure offers improved access to transport, education and healthcare, alongside broader-reaching environmental benefits including improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions. 

Digital: The 5th Utility

The first step identified by Duncan and Ceri is the need to consider digital as the ‘5th Utility’. Digital technology must be incorporated into the design and construction of streets, spaces and buildings at the same time as the other essential utilities of everyday life – water, gas, sanitation and electricity. No copper or silicon cabling is permitted – strictly fibre to all locations. The capacity of the network is future-proofed through the generous inclusion of additional ‘dark fibre’ (unconnected spare fibre cabling).

Above ground, the digital infrastructure must also be conceived from the outset. Wire-less technology, such as WiFi and 5G, is carefully designed into new buildings and public realm. High-density, high-speed internet coverage is achieved within the neighbourhood through the regular spacing of wireless stations. Unsightly towers and microwave dishes are out – instead, the new kit is incorporated within the plant spaces of buildings – currently designed to handle the other four utilities. Environment sensors, such as air quality monitors and traffic measurement, can be integrated into street furniture.    

By designing-in digital infrastructure below ground from the outset, the disruption, expense, unsightliness and waste of resources of retrofitting new technology is avoided. This integrated, and comprehensive network offers dependable, high-speed digital connections with capacity for growth. 

Once this digital infrastructure has been established, the benefits of Smart Placemaking are ready to be realised…   

Healthcare  

• Digital ‘front door’ access to in-person and telehealth services, with continuity on and offsite. Enabling a streamlined user experience, with integrated virtual and in-person appointments, enabling patients to experience the same quality of care whether in person or online. 
• Wire-less connection of wearable ‘Med-tech’ monitoring devices indoors or outdoors providing clinicians and population health professionals with a ‘rich picture’ to tune health care. 
• Reliable connectivity enabling high quality care in the community and rapid, seamless transfers of care between the NHS and Social Care providers.  
• Wayfinding – Integrated wayfinding across district hospitals, clinical departments and other services 

Education 

• Learning – frictionless student access to learning and social resources anywhere, anytime, using any device. 
• Ubiquitous, high availability & high-capacity connectivity enabling consistent and coherent experience across both centralised and highly dispersed campuses. 
• Reliable, low-latency connections provide more possibilities for learning designers to integrate real-time, interactive learning into the curriculum. 

Work 

• Hassle-free working – seamless, hassle-free roaming between work and leisure locations, without interruption or signing in needed. The added security and reliability built into the network removes the need for additional VPN connections, portals and verifications associated with remote working. Instead, users enjoy the same experience whether in the office, at home, café or park.