Cities, towns and rural areas in the United Kingdom are having to become more connected to meet their economic, social and environmental targets in a sustainable way. At the same time, local authorities are under pressure to meet their net zero carbon emissions targets and provide supporting services to keep up with the demands of the digital-savvy population wanting to connect with their surroundings, often using their own devices. Some are responding by integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) with existing infrastructure to improve residents’ lives through connected places, data rich environments and public realm technology (also known as smart cities).

London set the bar high in 2018 with the release of its Smarter London Together Roadmap and is already working hard towards the plan’s goals. Singapore is digitalising its healthcare system by incorporating IoT devices to monitor patients’ progress and transmit their data to therapists over a wireless network. To handle the increase in population when Doha hosts the 2022 World Cup, Project Qatar Mobility will see a fleet of self-driving electric shuttles usher in a new era of urban mobility.