In October the government announced a Smart Cities Forum and research - both corporate and academic - is busy exploring the potential of ICT to enhance the sustainability of urban areas. Some of this is about using data and information more effectively, some about better service delivery through integration and client-responsiveness. The aim, from a sustainability perspective, is to reduce resource use through these and other means, all reliant on an extended ICT infrastructure. It is a tempting idea. It seems to embody the idea of a better future in technology-led, almost science fiction terms. We (mainly) love the benefits of better connectivity that current ICT infrastructure offers. So what is the down-side?
Smart Cities are undoubtedly seen as a commercial opportunity - hence the significant investment in this idea by major companies such as Microsoft and Samsung. Nothing wrong in that - that is what these companies are supposed to do. But turning this idea into a public policy direction may mean prioritising commercial enterprise over other concerns. As ever with growth-dependent planning approaches, the aim is that market-led investment in Smart Cities will also provide for quality of life, wellbeing, equity, social inclusion and sustainability (see, for example, the remit for the current Government Foresight project on the Future of Cities - http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight/our-work/projects/current-projects/future-of-cities. But sometimes it is not possible to have it all; will some communities be left behind by the investment in Smart Cities? Worse, will they be displaced or have to suffer the negative effects of such investment? ICT investment sounds so neutral and clean and safe. But without a very strong commitment to inclusion, sustainability and poverty-reduction, it may prove to be commercial business-as-usual rather than a really different future.
This blog is now taking a holiday until the New Year. Season's Greetings to all readers!
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Back to the High Street
Another launch that I am just catching up on is the publication of the Grimsey Review in September. This comes from Bill Grimsey, former Wickes and Iceland Chief Executive, as a response to the Mary Portas work on the High Street. His approach is rather intriguing. It suggests that high streets need to evolve to more multi-use spaces with less reliance on pure retail and incorporating public services, workspaces, social and cultural provision alongside some more housing. This view is based on the persistence of high vacancy rates across many individual town and neighbourhood centres and the country as a whole. To this evidence, he adds the changes occurring in shopping patterns with continued reliance on car-based trips together with more use of the internet.
The reforms needed to put the vision in place emphasise change of the business rates but also considers the planning system. Here the suggestion include changing the operation of the Use Classes Order and more imagination in the design and management of the public realm. But the more innovative ideas are creating 'town-owned investment vehicles' to create flats above shops, making the provision of affordable space compulsory in 'mega malls', and having strong plan-led policies for town centre uses including forced change of use for empty properties.
He sees the need for finance to back up some of his ideas and looks to crowdsourcing platforms, as I have done, but also considers the potential for local authorities to support small businesses from their reserves and even pension funds. As with any ideas for reform, discussion and testing out is essential. There are some tensions between deregulation and plan-led policies apparent here. And it may prove difficult to speak to the large corporates and small business interests in the high street at the same time. But there are some fresh ideas here worth exploring.
The reforms needed to put the vision in place emphasise change of the business rates but also considers the planning system. Here the suggestion include changing the operation of the Use Classes Order and more imagination in the design and management of the public realm. But the more innovative ideas are creating 'town-owned investment vehicles' to create flats above shops, making the provision of affordable space compulsory in 'mega malls', and having strong plan-led policies for town centre uses including forced change of use for empty properties.
He sees the need for finance to back up some of his ideas and looks to crowdsourcing platforms, as I have done, but also considers the potential for local authorities to support small businesses from their reserves and even pension funds. As with any ideas for reform, discussion and testing out is essential. There are some tensions between deregulation and plan-led policies apparent here. And it may prove difficult to speak to the large corporates and small business interests in the high street at the same time. But there are some fresh ideas here worth exploring.
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