Computer technologies make our lives much easier and they can be used on a large scale. In the 21st century, many cities are actively working on digitisation. There is an organisation in Birmingham that has taken on this difficult mission. What are the results? Learn more at birmingham-future.
City-wide initiative
Digital Birmingham was an initiative of citizens and the city council. It is also part of the Birmingham City Council’s Economy Department. They were united by the idea of turning Birmingham into a city of the future. They are trying to create the best living conditions with the help of digitalisation. They deal with the digital system of the city.
Digital Birmingham has highlighted a few important things when reaching a goal. The main stage in the digitalisation of any city is the union of businessmen, society and the city council. In its essence, Digital Birmingham has become a kind of bridge between these three pillars. Their cooperation helps to obtain valuable IT data, which is used to stimulate economic growth and create new innovative products.
Ways to achieve the goal
The key to successful digitisation lies in the city’s economic and financial well-being. Digital Birmingham strives to help create more jobs, connect businesses and set up a technological connection between them. They help businesses update their technologies. Such decisions expand the digital sector, creating new companies.
Another important aspect is the possibility to study and test innovations. Birmingham took care of that too. Every start-up idea or innovative model goes through a testing phase to understand whether it is worth investing or not. Digital Birmingham provides such a platform.
Every IT innovation must be made publicly available. The monopolisation of this procedure hampers the digitisation process.
Main directions of activity
Birmingham’s digitisation plans involve a hefty sum of £40 million and that’s just in the LEP area. This programme includes the creation of a public Wi-Fi network, the installation and use of the UK’s first green Wi-Fi, the creation of the West Midlands Public Services Network, the introduction of a government voucher system and the creation of Digital Academy.
All of this is aimed at improving the life quality of Birmingham residents and at the development of the technological sector. These integrated methods help to solve local problems and create a powerful city.
The Birmingham Data Factory was the first and major step towards the digitalisation of the city. It is a solid foundation for the creation of an information market involving third parties. It allows the exchange of information products in real-time mode.
The aim is not only the sale and purchase of technological products but also the opportunity to freely exchange information about the digitisation results. The experience of other cities and regions can always be used. Birmingham actively uses other city’s data and shares its own. After all, it is among the top 15 cities in the UK for sharing data on digitalisation.
Digital Birmingham has become a true friend of every Birmingham business that wants to contribute to the city’s development or test its own strength in the IT world. It offers real assistance, project management skills, strategic advice, forums and knowledge bases. Digital Birmingham constantly works with other similar organisations around the country, learns from their experiences and applies them for the benefit of Birmingham.
