The French Ministry of the Economy has called for digitally sovereign European cloud infrastructure for French Government and enterprises. The European Commission is investing €1.3 billion in AI, cybersecurity and digital skills development under the Digital Europe Programme for 2025-2027. Smart City Osnabrück is looking for partners to develop innovative strategies and technologies to increase city efficiency and bolster resilience and urban climate neutrality. The City of Hamburg will upgrade its S-Bahn rail system with European Train Control System (ETCS) and modern automated train operations technologies. The new CDU-SPD coalition Government in Germany led by Friedrich Merz is planning major rail modernisation and digitalisation. One of Europe’s leading smart cities, Barcelona is modernising its port security. Spanish city Granada has installed an AI-based urban management system “CityEye” that allows incidents and damage to urban infrastructure to be identified in real-time. The Polish city of Gdynia has held talks in Taipei with officials in Taiwan on smart city development. The Albanian Government has doubled the size of its smart city budget. The Danish city of Aarhus has launched a consultation on a new green mobility plan. The UK Government has updated progress on the national 5G Innovation Regions. It has also released further funding for its national Net Zero programme. And has issued guidance on adoption of adoption of innovative farming technologies and methods for farmers as the first step in the implementation of its ADOPT Fund for digital modernisation of the country’s farming economy.

France calls for European Cloud alternatives

The French Ministry of the Economy has called for digitally sovereign European cloud infrastructure for French Government and enterprises. The Government wants French organisations to move to French or European cloud alternatives to the major US cloud providers in the wake of moves by the Trump administration in the US.

For more information:

• Le gouvernement relance timidement les offres de cloud de confiance – Le Monde Informatique

EU invests €1.3 billion in AI skills

The European Commission is investing €1.3 billion in AI, cybersecurity and digital skills development under the Digital Europe Programme for 2025-2027. The investment is part of the EU’s programme for digital transformation.

For more information:

• EU to invest €1.3 billion in AI and digital skills | Digital Watch Observatory

Osnabrück smart city innovation

Smart City Osnabrück is looking for partners to develop innovative strategies and technologies to increase city efficiency and bolster resilience and urban climate neutrality.

For more information:

• Osnabrück | Smart City Dialog

Hamburg S-Bahn digital rail

The City of Hamburg will upgrade its S-Bahn rail system with European Train Control System (ETCS) and modern automated train operations technologies. The rail system will deploy semi-automatic train operation with GoA2. The city, the second largest in Germany, has appointed Alstom to upgrade the rail infrastructure.

For more information:

• Alstom macht S-Bahn Hamburg fit für den digitalen Bahnbetrieb | Alstom

German coalition plans major rail modernisation

The new CDU-SPD coalition Government in Germany led by Friedrich Merz is planning major rail modernisation and digitalisation. The country has one of the largest rail networks in Europe, but some of the infrastructure dates back to the 19th Century. In addition to modernisation rail technology, the new government is also planning major changes for Deutsche Bahn.

For more information:

• Koalitionsvertrag: Das planen CDU und SPD bei der Deutschen Bahn

Barcelona modernises port security

One of Europe’s leading smart cities, Barcelona is modernising its port security. The city is a major traveller and logistics hub for southern and western Europe. The city’s port authority has implemented a security platform to unify video surveillance access control and intrusion detection into a single interface. The port is also implementing aerial and aquatic drones as part of new security measures.

For more information:

• Genetec centraliza la seguridad del Puerto de Barcelona

Granada real-time AI monitoring

Spanish city Granada has installed an AI-based urban management system “CityEye” that allows incidents and damage to urban infrastructure to be identified in real-time. The system, developed by the city council together with local firm Innovasur, depends on sensors mounted on municipal vehicles.

For more information:

• Granada estrena ‘CityEye’, el sistema inteligente de Innovasur para monitorizar la ciudad en tiempo real

Gdynia-Taiwan talks on smart city development

The Polish city of Gdynia has held talks in Taipei with officials in Taiwan on smart city development. Gdynia, in the north east of Poland, already has a cooperation agreement with the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung. Officials from the City Government also held talks with a number of Taiwanese smart city and telecoms firms while in Taipei.

For more information:

• Tajwan zacieśnia relacje z Gdynią. Miasto na Smart City Summit & Expo – Gdynia

Albania doubles smart city budget

The Albanian Government has doubled the size of its smart city budget. The increase in the budget will be funded by a loan from the Abu Dhabi Development Fund. The funds will be used to implement sensors and cameras and a smart city security platform. The Government has already signed a contract with Presight AI Ltd, a UAE-based firm affiliated with G42.

For more information:

• Albanian Government Doubles Cost of ‘Smart City’ Project Without Transparency – Tirana Times

Aarhus presents Green Mobility Plan

The Danish city of Aarhus has launched a consultation on a new green mobility plan. The City has proposed some 50 new smart mobility initiatives, including an expansion of urban light rail and the construction of an advanced electric car infrastructure. According to reports, the municipal government is planning on committing several billions of euros in new investment in its light rail infrastructure.

For more information:

• Billions on more light rail: Here are six key points in a new, major plan for traffic in Aarhus – Din Avis

UK 5G Innovation Regions updated

The UK Government has updated progress on the national 5G Innovation Regions. These are regions of the country that are serving as development and pilot testbeds for novel applications of 5G. In many cases, the programmes have been extended, expanded, and received new funding. The regions include: Belfast City Council – Belfast City Region; West Midlands Combined Authority; Greater Manchester Combined Authority; Oxfordshire County Council – Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire; Glasgow City Council – Glasgow City Region; The Council of the City Of Sunderland – North East Combined Authority; North Ayrshire Council – Ayrshire Growth Deal Region; Cumberland Council – Borderlands Partnership; West Sussex County Council – Sussex (East and West); Shropshire Council – River Severn Partnership.

For more information:

• 5G Innovation Regions: successful regions (updated 19 March 2025) – GOV.UK

UK releases further funds for Net Zero

The UK Government has release further funding for its national Net Zero programme. The Government’s regulator, Ofgem, has released £4 billion in additional funding, which is aimed at securing additional smart energy infrastructure equipment for the country’s national energy grid.

For more information:

• Britain on fast track to net zero with early access to £4 billion infrastructure investment | Ofgem

UK provides ag-tech innovation guidance

The UK Government has issued guidance on adoption of adoption of innovative farming technologies and methods for farmers as the first step in the implementation of its ADOPT Fund for digital modernisation of the country’s farming economy.

For more information:

• ADOPT Fund: guidance now available for innovation funding   – Farming

EU Clean Industrial Deal

The European Commission has published its Clean Industrial Deal to decarbonise industry and reduce energy costs for industry and consumers. The deal promotes the adoption of Clean Tech across the industrial and energy value chains.

For more information: Clean Industrial Deal

UK and Ireland to cooperate on renewable grid

The United Kingdom and Ireland will collaborate on smart grid technology to support an integrated renewable energy grid. The two countries have agreed a new data sharing arrangement to increase the production of offshore energy.

For more information: Sir Keir Starmer Starmer welcomes ‘next chapter’ for the UK and Ireland – BBC News

Germany expands smart meter scope

German coalition parties have reached agreement to alter the scope of the country’s smart energy meter roll-out. The parties, which include the coalition governing CDU, CSU, SPD and Greens, have agreed that smart meter installation should also include control devices. Controllers maximise self-consumption and help reduce energy usage.

For more information: Germany’s smart meter rollout set to be ‘realigned’

France investment to modernise food production

The French Government is investing €200 million to support the modernisation of French food production. The investment by the Ministry of Finances is part of the Government’s launch of a public-private fund to support agri-business modernisation: “Résilience et Capacités Agroalimentaires 2030”.

For more information: Annonces du gouvernement pour le renforcement des capacités industrielles pour les entreprises agroalimentaires et les filières – Presse – Ministère des Finances

US assistance for Ukraine grid ends

The US State Department has ended support for Ukraine energy grid restoration. The US Government had previously provided both economic and technical support to Ukraine’s power grid. A team of 64 US government and private contract workers is also being terminated.

For more information: State Department terminates U.S. support of Ukraine energy grid restoration

Barcelona expands city, energy initiatives

Barcelona is expanding the scope of the largest smart city project in Spain. The City Council has signed a collaboration agreement with Chinese firm Huawei that opens the way to joint projects in smart cities, smart buildings, green energy and infrastructure.

For more information: Huawei-y-Ayuntamiento-de-Barcelona-firman-un-acuerdo-para-avanzar-iniciativas-de-ciudad-inteligente

UK boosts satellite communications

The UK Space Agency has awarded two projects £16 million as part of a programme to develop UK capabilities in advanced satellite communications. The funding will enable UK industry to capture a greater portion of the satellite mega-constellation market by developing technology that improves their efficiency and capability. It comes from the UK Space Agency’s Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, which will invest up to £160 million in UK expertise in this area over the next four years.

For more information: £16 million for new projects to boost UK benefits of satellite constellations

Oulu embraces Green Hydrogen

Oulu, Finland, is collaborating with French energy firm Verso Energy to advance green hydrogen production in the city. The partners will construct a €1.4 billion green hydrogen plant. The green hydrogen will support the EU’s programme to transition aviation in Europe to renewable synthetic aviation fuels, or e-SAF. The city is expanding the zoning of its industrial area to accommodate the programme.

For more information: French developer pledges to build €1.4bn green hydrogen-based SAF plant in Finland

Corsico becomes Smart City

The City of Corsico in Italy’s Lombardy region is to become a Smart City. It has signed an agreement with Italian firm WINDTRE to partner on digital transformation and smart city technologies. Goals include sustainability, improving residents’ health, and digitisation of municipal services.

For more information: La ‘smart city’ arriva a Corsico | Ticino Notizie

EU announces €200 billion AI investment

The Europan Commussion has launched a €200 billion investment in AI. The funding comes from €50 billion of EU funding and €150 billion of private investment. The funding will see the construction of AI gigafactories and the development of new AI models and applications. It adds significant further funding to announcements in December of plans to build a number of AI factories and mobilise EU-funded supercomputer facilities for AI model training.

For more information: EU launches InvestAI initiative to mobilise €200 billion

EU abandons AI Liability Directive

The European Commission has abandoned plans to proceed with the EU AI Liability Directive. The directive would have reduced the burden of proof of complainants against technology companies in cases where AI infringed on citizen rights. It would have shifted burden of proof onto defendants. The directive had been attacked by US companies and the new US administration. The European Parliament appears to be refusing the Commission’s decision, and may proceed separately with the directive.

For more information: Commission withdraws AI liability directive after Vance attack on regulation – Euractiv

UK launches AI Opportunities Action Plan

The UK Government has launched a national plan for AI. The Government plans to use AI across UK public sector to boost growth and improve delivery of public services. The plan includes proposals for “growth zones” where investment will be funnelled. UK tech firms have already committed £14 billion (US$17.5 billion) to the scheme before its launch. The UK Government programme sees AI particularly being applied to IoT and sensor data. AI growth zones are likely to have a knock-on effect on development of Smart Cities in the UK.

For more information: AI Opportunities Action Plan

UK names Oxford suburb as first AI Growth Zone

Culham on the outskirts of Oxford has been named the UK’s first AI Growth Zone. The suburb is home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority and also hosts a Science Centre. The district has access to significant power that can supply future data centres, and land that can be used for building. Growth Zones could introduce streamlined planning approvals procedures to accelerate build-out of critical infrastructure. Culham was also awarded £410 million in January for fusion energy research.

For more information: Record fusion funding from UK Government – Culham Centre for Fusion Energy

Switzerland begins smart meter roll-out

The Federal Government of Switzerland has committed to nationwide replacement of conventional energy meters with smart meters as part of the country’s Energy Strategy 2050. By 2027, the Government aims that at least 80 percent of all meters must be smart. The City of Gallen is conducting a trial in the first half of 2025 as a pilot for the nationwide introduction.

For more information: St.Galler Stadtwerke installieren flächendeckend intelligente Zähler | stadt.sg.ch

Hamburg green-lights digital rail operations

The Hamburg Transport Authority has green-lit the nationwide introduction of digital train operations across Germany, opening the way for faster train operations and increased trains on the tracks. The Hamburg S-Bahn has approved the digitalisation of train operations on its regional rail system. Digital train operations involve trains communicating directly and utilising geographic information. It allows far faster train operations and a greater number of trains on the tracks. A digital train operations pilot has operated on the Berlin S-Bahn. The Hamburg S-Bahn will become the first train operator to employ digital rail operations across its whole network.

For more information: Hamburg startet digitale S-Bahn: Strecke nach Harburg profitiert

Pamplona launches third Smart Iruña Lab

The city of Pamplona, capital of Spain’s Navarre region, has launched the third edition of the Smart Iruña Lab to identify pilot Smart City projects through public-private collaboration. In the previous two Smart Iruña Lab editions, ten projects were launched. The projects are aimed at creating replicable solutions and support the Pamplona 2030 Urban Agenda.

For more information: Una ciudad inteligente en la que la tecnología trabaja en favor de la sostenibilidad: Pamplona abre la tercera edición de Smart Iruña Lab | Ayuntamiento de Pamplona

UK publishes rural digital divide report

The UK Government has published the results of a three year research project into the digital divide in the country, and measures to improve access to digital services. The report particularly addresses lack of access in rural areas of the United Kingdom, and the need for improved broadband connectivity outside urban areas.

For more information: Beyond the digital divide: realising wellbeing through a digital needs hierarchy – GOV.UK

Italy publishes sustainable urban mobility guidance

Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has published further guidance and training materials on developing Plans for Sustainable Urban Mobility (Piani urbani della mobilità sostenibile). The guidance is intended for use by local authorities in drafting plans required under the European Union Programme ‘Technical Support for a clean, smart and fair urban mobility – Italy on the Move’. The plans are intended as a strategic planning tool, and the programme is part-funded by the EU.

For more information: Piani urbani della mobilità sostenibile – PUMS | Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti

Valencia invests in urban AI

The Spanish city of Valencia has established a technical assistance office for urban AI to plan and manage the introduction of AI into the management of the city. The funding is part of the city’s participation in the EU Citcom.AI programme to promote urban adoption of AI.

For more information: València y Citcom.AI: Innovación urbana con inteligencia artificial

Berlin publishes complete parking dataset

The City of Berlin has published a complete dataset for parking covering the entire city area. The dataset records over 1.2 million public parking spaces. The City Administration has published the dataset to encourage development of tools to improve links between traffic and air pollution control planning.

For more information: Alle Parkplätze im Blick – Kommune21 online | Kommune21 – E-Government, Internet und Informationstechnik

Hanau redefines Smart City objectives

The city of Hanau in the German State of Hesse has redefined its smart city mission statement, and has introduced six new fields of action as part of its smart city development. The city already has thirteen existing lighthouse projects underway. The six new fields of action are: urban life; economy and work; mobility and energy; knowledge and education; culture; sport and leisure; and health and social affairs. The city has also established an IT board, which will work with the city’s IT subsidiary, BHG.IT, and the city’s Office for Digitalisation and Organisation Development.

For more information: Smart City auf die Hanauer Art – Kommune21 online | Kommune21 – E-Government, Internet und Informationstechnik

Andalusia invests €27m in Smart City developments

The Autonomous Government of Andalusia in southern Spain is investing €27 million in development of smart city projects in 2025. The funding is being split between two separate programmes. One is the ‘línea CITI’ programme, which will benefit 1.3 million inhabitants in 311 municipalities. This will focus on smart technology for mobility, health, governance, economy, environment and the creation of smart platforms. The other major programme is the ‘eCitySevilla’ project, which is the smart city project for the Andalusian capital city, Seville.

For more information: La Junta invierte más de 27 millones para fomentar el desarrollo de ciudades inteligentes – Portavoz del Gobierno Andaluz

UK establishes Regulatory Innovation Office

The UK Government has established a Regulatory Innovation Office to accelerate development of smart technologies and accelerate their introduction and adoption by markets and government agencies.

For more information: Game-changing tech to reach the public faster as dedicated new unit launched to curb red tape – GOV.UK

UK investigates societal risks of AI

The UK’s AI Safety Institute has announced a grant programme aimed at researching the societal risks posed by AI. The primary goal of this £4 million funding programme is to address the potential risks associated with AI systems, such as cyberattacks and the spread of fake content.

For more information: Research programme to ensure UK economy uses AI to grow safely – GOV.UK

Fulda embarks on Smart City project

The City of Fulda in Hesse, Germany, has embarked on the first part of its Smart City programme. The city is deploying smart light poles in the city centre to provide activity-based smart lighting, traffic light control, and parking occupancy sensors. Sensors on the smart poles will drive a number of smart city applications within the city centre aimed at increasing transport and pedestrian safety, more efficient road use, and reduced CO2 emissions.

For more information: Smarte Infrastruktur Straßenbeleuchtung

Dénia embarks on Smart Tourist strategy

The Spanish city of Dénia has adopted a smart city strategy to help encourage growth of tourism in the city. Located in the northern tip of the Alicante region, close to Valencia, Dénia was an Arab kingdom, which became subsequently one of the last outposts of Arab rule in Spain. The city government has adopted a smart city master plan to make Dénia more sustainable, improve tourist abilities to travel through and discover the city, simplify tourist choices, and provide feedback data for the city authorities.

For more information: Dénia avança na sua estratégia de Destino Turístico Inteligente através da Comissão Técnica Interdepartamental

Helsingborg wins EU Cities funds

The City of Helsingborg in Sweden has won a place in the EU’s Pilot Cities programme. The city will receive SEK 6.6 million in support for sustainable urban development, with Oceanhamnen as its focus.

For more information: Funds for Helsingborg as it is selected for the EU’s pilot programme for sustainable cities | Helsingborg.se

Frankfurt pulls out of EU smart city programme

The German city of Frankfurt am Main has withdrawn from the EU’s flagship EU Smart Cities programme. The programme comprises 100 cities from across the EU. Frankfurt has been one of the most significant cities in the programme, one of nine drawn from Germany. The city has withdrawn due to wanting to set clearer climate-neutral goals and disagreement with the EU-set timeframe.

For more information: Klimaneutral und smart? Frankfurt verlässt EU-Mission – #stadtvonmorgen

Perpignan Métropole plans AI-based traffic management

The French Pyrenees city of Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole is planning the deployment of AI to transform traffic and transport across the urban region that is made up of 36 communities spread across the Pyrénées-Orientales department centred on the city of Perpignan. The city has sent a delegation to Quebec to study how the Canadian city has implemented AI to improve transport and traffic flows.

For more information: Une IA pour gérer le trafic en ville, un Amazon local, des autoroutes à vélos… la “ville intelligente de Québec”, une inspiration pour Perpignan Métropole ? – lindependant.fr

Barnier relegates French telecoms modernisation

The new Barnier administration in France appears to have relegated telecoms modernisation in its struggle to deal with the country’s deficit. Funds for 5G installations and telecoms modernisation were cut 39% earlier this year. Now the Barnier regime has relegated the telecoms and digitalisation briefs to a more junior minister and more cuts to the 5G and telecoms infrastructure budget are expected.

More information: Gouvernement Barnier : l’industrie des télécoms redoute une nouve …

Poland embarks on smart grid transformation

The largest electricity grid modernisation programme in the European Union, Poland’s FEnIKS programme, has disbursed funding to begin a major overhaul of the grid in the country’s northern and central regions. Part of the renewal programme will see migration to a smart distribution network. Six major new electricity distribution centres will be built, while existing ones will be modernised and expanded.

For more information: Miliony na rozwój infrastruktury dystrybucyjnej. Energa-Operator z dofinansowaniem – Gramwzielone.pl

Data centres become part of UK Critical National Infrastructure

The UK Government is making data centres part of the country’s Critical National Infrastructure. Data processing in UK-based data centres will receive wide-ranging Government support, funding and protection from national agencies under UK security laws. A dedicated backbone infrastructure and support structure will support UK-based data centres. Government security agencies will support and help data centres anticipate attacks, and recover rapidly from such attacks. The UK is home to the greatest concentration of data centres in Western Europe.

More information: Data centres to be given massive boost and protections from cyber criminals and IT blackouts – GOV.UK

UK regulator investigates smart energy meters

The British Government energy regulator, Ofgem, has opened an investigation and compliance engagement with UK energy providers over performance of residential energy meters. The regulator is concerned at the high number of energy smart meters that are failing to operate in smart mode.

More information: Ofgem opens compliance engagement into British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO and Scottish Power relating to smart meter obligations | Ofgem

France seeks to redesign city peripheries

The French public investment fund for regions and communities, the Banque des territoires, has launched a consultation on how to redesign the periphery of French cities. The consultation is part of the French national City Centre Action Programme which supports urban redevelopment programmes in some 245 French cities. The Banque de Territoires is committing 5 billion euros to the programme.

More information: Entrées de ville : la Banque des Territoires lance une consultation citoyenne

Bilbao sets social agenda for Smart City programme

The Spanish city of Bilbao is implementing 30 major projects as part of its fifteen year Smart City programme: Bilbao 2030 Digital Transformation Agenda. The City council has set a strategic agenda with social goals and objectives at its core. The City wishes to promote smart business centred around small businesses and local shops, urban life, integration and support of the elderly, and developing people’s digital skills and culture.

More information: Bilbao, la proyección de una ciudad inteligente gracias a la tecnología con fin social | CIO

Pamplona launches third Smart City phase

The City of Pamplona, capital of the Spanish autonomous province of Navarre, has launched the third phase of its Smart City programme. The City is seeking public-private collaboration to identify pilot smart city projects. The City is focusing on urban mobility, traffic management, air quality and environmental projects, and promoting technology skills among the city’s population.

More information: Una ciudad inteligente en la que la tecnología trabaja en favor de la sostenibilidad: Pamplona abre la tercera edición de Smart Iruña Lab | Ayuntamiento de Pamplona

Berlin calls for CircularPSP partners

The City of Berlin, one of the winners of the EU Smart City CircularPSP fund, is looking for partner companies and cities to help realise the project’s objectives. The City of Berlin is looking for digital solutions and testbeds to help develop and test technologies that will realise the goals of a circular urban economy. The city is looking for an AI-based planning system that will support city employees develop the circular economy programme, including collecting and integrating public and city data from across Germany.

More information: Smart City Berlin – Das EU projekt CircularPSP sucht testanwender:inne

Manchester plans for New Town revealed

The Greater Manchester region in England has revealed plans for urban regeneration and expansion of Holt Town, an industrial town in the east of the region. The regeneration of the early 19th Century town include 4,500 new homes and new commercial space. The Council is exploring how digital technologies can be embedded into the regeneration programme to modernise traffic management, waste collection and neighbourhood management of health and social care.

More information: Plans for the regeneration of Holt Town have been revealed

UK CAA approves drone trials

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has selected six projects for a new scheme to test drone use in deliveries, inspections of infrastructure, emergency services and flights to remote locations. Trials include: Amazon Prime Air (consumer drone deliveries); Airspection (inspecting offshore windfarms); National Police Air Service (NPAS) (exploring uncrewed aircraft use in policing); NATS (BVLOS inspections over the North Sea); Project SATE (Sustainable Aviation Test Environment) (flights to Orkney); Project Lifeline (medical deliveries). The trials will gather safety data such as how drones detect and avoid other aircraft, the electronic signals they can send to be able to be visible to other airspace users and air traffic control.

More information: New trials set to help unlock drone deliveries and inspections in the UK | Civil Aviation Authority

Mönchengladbach develops Smart City app

The city of Mönchengladbach is developing an Open SmartCity app. Some other 20 German cities in North Rhine-Westphalia are part of the development partnership, and more are in the pipeline. The app, based on a modular system, will offer citizens faster information about city events and to increase the reach of urban content. The app is intended to cover topics such as mobility, administrative services, citizen participation and city news.

More information: moenchengladbach.de – Moenchengladbach

Halle receives Smart City funding

Halle in Saxony-Anhalt has received German Government funding of €15 million to develop into a smart city. The city is working on a digital twin, plans improvements to transport and will implement smart technologies to support education in Halle-Neustadt. The city becomes the only Smart City site to receive federal funding and official status in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

More information: Wie Halle zur smarten Stadt werden will

Zaragoza receives €70m for Smart City

The Spanish city of Zaragoza has received €70 million to become a Smart City by 2030. The money will be used to create a digital twin of the city, urban data platforms, create an urban metaverse, and a AI-driven virtual assistant, among other technologies. Zaragoza’s strategy has been entitled ‘The Zityverse’.

Liverpool adopts city digital twin

Liverpool City-Region in north west England is developing an urban digital twin to improve regional bus and transport services. Planners will employ data modelling techniques and real-time vehicle location data. The project is a collaboration between Liverpool City-Region Combined Authority, the University of Liverpool, and technology providers, and is being funded as part of Innovate UK’s UK-South Korea collaborative research and development programme. The initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding signed last year between Liverpool and Busan, South Korea, to cooperate in areas such as digital innovation and smart cities.

More information: New hi-tech collaboration with South Korea aimed at improving Liverpool City Region bus services – News – University of Liverpool

Zurich adds cooling to Smart City vision

The City of Zurich has added urban cooling to its Smart City vision. The City is promoting cooling technologies to reduce street and open space temperatures throughout the city as part of its Smart City Zurich programme. The City is growing trees and greenery, but it also aims to reduce temperature through novel urban technologies. The City has already experimented with artificial clouds, both in large and small formations. It is now looking for new approaches based on Smart City technology.

More information: Nebel für eine kühle Stadt – Stadt Zürich

UK Government Smart Data Law

The new UK Government has proposed a smart data law, the Digital Information and Data Bill (DISD), that will implement new information standards in healthcare data systems, reform the way retail customer data is handled, enable new ways for apps to share customer data, and create a national digital map of the UK’s data cabling and infrastructure to allow faster upgrades and new installations.

More information: UK Government background briefing paper on King’s Speech

Regional AI plan for Occitanie

The French administrative region of Occitanie, which covers the south west of the country, has announced a regional AI plan to drive growth, re-industrialisation and administrative modernisation. The region’s capital is Toulouse, home to Airbus and a high-tech and engineering hub. The region is planning an international conference on the region’s plans in autumn 2024 in Toulouse.

More information:

• La region Occitanie annonce un plan intelligence artificielle regional

French government calls for farming AI projects

As part of its France 2030 national recovery and resilience programme, the French government has issued a call for projects to develop AI for smart farming. French Minister for Agriculture Marc Fesneau announced that France is seeking a transformation of its food chain and greater food security through implementation of agritech. The government is committing €1.8 billion to agricultural transition. France 2030 was launched in 2021 following the Covid-19 crisis.

• France 2030 : l’intelligence artificielle au cœur des nouveaux appels à projets pour le monde agricole et agroalimentaire

Cities join Kassel on smart city developments

The City of Kassel, site of the AUREA sensor lab as part of Germany’s national Smart Cities Model Projects (MPSC) pilot programme, has briefed representatives from 20 smart city projects in the MPSC programme about developments in smart city sensing and integration technology. The city, in Hesse in central Germany, is working with the University of Kassel to develop augmented reality applications based on sensing data for smart city management. The participating cities have agreed to work together with Kassel on further developments of smart city technology.

• Modellprojekte Smart Cities zu Gast in Kassel

Germany issues smart city guidance for all cities

The German government has published a plan to help cities and communities across the country adopt smart city technologies. The “Smart Cities and Regions” plan is a step-by-step guide and framework for cities to implement technologies that are proven and easier to adopt. A number of federal ministries have worked on the framework, led by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building. The step-by-step framework contrasts with the Federal Ministry of the Interior’s Smart Cities Model Projects programme, which comprises around 20 pilot sites of advanced smart city technologies throughout the country.

• Stufenplan „Smarte Städte und Regionen“ beschlossen
• Stufenplan Smarte Städte und Regionen: Gemeinsam digital handlungsfähig – Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen

Karlstad adopts Smart City plan

The Swedish city of Karlstad has adopted a smart city plan aimed at sustainable development. The city aims at urban renewal through adoption of new technologies. The city is one of the largest in the country and is a centre for the country’s IT industry. Recently, the city has experienced strong growth.

• En plan för en smart och hållbar stad

France announces €400m for AI city clusters

France has announced €400 million in funding for the construction of AI infrastructure and AI-based applications in France. The new funding will be directed to nine AI clusters located across France. The Government has also announced a new fund to support development of less well financed technologies. The funding is part of the France 2030 programme.

More information here: Intelligence artificielle : Macron annonce des investissements supplémentaires de l’État

Barcelona deploys AI, real-time data

The City of Barcelona in Spain’s Catalan region has launched a series of technology projects based on AI, real-time data analysis and process digitisation. The new projects are the product of a collaboration between Barcelona and Spain’s National Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS). The City, seen as the smart city leader in Spain, is embarking on a digital transformation to incorporate new technologies. The City has established a municipal data office to oversee the transformation, and is also building an urban digital twin.

More information here: Barcelone joue la transformation digitale pour ses services et pour ses habitants

Germany: Online Access Bill rejected

Germany’s upper chamber has rejected a bill to improve digitalisation of Germany’s administrative services including services for citizens. The bill would affect not only the Federal Government but authorities throughout the country. According to the Federal Audit Office, only 19% of Germany’s services are currently online. The Onlinezugangsgesetz 2.0 was introduced by the Federal Government last year, and passed by the Bundestag in February. However the Bundesrat, which represents the States, has rejected the bill. The Association of German Districts (Aufruf des Deutschen Landkreistages (DLT)), which represents city and local government, had called for the bill to be rejected in its present form because it centralised decision and design of technologies to the Federal Government, and did not allow cities, local authorities and States freedom to develop their own solutions.

More information here: Onlinezugangsgesetz 2.0: Bundesrat macht Vollbremsung bei der Verwaltungsdigitalisierung

UK SME AI adoption scheme

The UK has launched a funding initiative to boost uptake of AI by small and medium-sized businesses active in high-growth industries. The funding is being facilitated through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund and administered by Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme. The programme is providing a pot of £7 million together with training, scientific expertise, and implementation guidance.

UKRI announcement:

£7 million to back next wave of AI innovations – UKRI

Leipzig opens Smart City lab

The City of Leipzig has opened a Smart City lab to encourage development of digital city projects and collaboration and input from the town’s citizens. The project has been funded by the German Government’s Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction, and forms part of the Ministry’s “Connected Urban Twins — Urban Digital Twins for Integrated Urban Development” project.

City announcement:

Stadt Leipzig eröffnet „Smart City Lab“ – Digitales kennenlernen, testen und erleben – Stadt Leipzig

Glasgow aims to become Europe’s largest IoT hub

A partnership between the UK Government, Glasgow City Council, and the Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC), including government investment, has been launched with the aim of transforming Glasgow into Europe’s largest smart things and IoT innovation hub. Through the partnership, Glasgow City Council and the city, the third largest in the UK, will become a test bed for homegrown innovations via STAC, which was launched in 2021. 

Partnership aims to transform Glasgow into Europe’s largest smart things and IoT innovation hub – Glasgow City Council

Spanish Government agrees Smart Mobility Bill

The Spanish Government has approved a draft Sustainable Mobility Law and submitted it to the Cortes Generales, the Spanish Parliament, for approval. . The law is part of a programme agreed with the European Commission as part of Spain’s funding under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.  The new bill aims to underpin smart mobility developments with four pillars: sustainability, digitalization and social and territorial cohesion .

El Gobierno retoma el proyecto de Ley de Movilidad Sostenible y lo remite a las Cortes | Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia Gobierno de España.

German Government invests in Rail Modernisation

In its 2024 budget, the German Government has significantly increased funds to the state owned German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn. The German rail operator is planning on a programme of rail modernisation and digitisation based on a funding programme of 45 billion euros between 2024 and 2027.

Deutsche Bahn: Presseinformationen

EU Council agrees ‘reinforced right of portability’ for IoT data

The EU Council and the Parliament have reached agreement on a ‘reinforced right of portability’ for industrial and commercial use of data generated by smart devices. The new agreement, which affects the forthcoming European Data Act, aims to establish conditions for change of data processing service providers, safeguard against illegal transfer of data by cloud service providers and provide for the development of interoperability standards for reuse of smart device data between sectors.

More information can be found here.

EU Testing Centres for Smart Technologies

The EU Commission is establishing four centres to test smart technologies to ensure they comply with the forthcoming EU AI Act, now in the final stages of approval. Smart technologies that do not pass the new EU compliance testing face being banned in the 27 nation bloc. The testing centres will focus on smart agricultural technology (agtech), healthcare technology, smart manufacturing and smart city technologies.

Further information here.

New EU cyber rules for consumer devices

The European Parliament and European Council have agreed legislation to impose new cybersecurity requirements on connected and smart devices. The European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) affects consumer and smart home devices, including both device technologies and supporting cloud infrastructures and processing. Controversially, the legislation also affects any open source technology that manufacturers might decide to incorporate into their products.

Further information can be found here.

EU programme to mine mobility data

The EU Horizon Europe programme has established a ten country project to mine mobility data from across the continent to improve transport, smart city, urban planning, and emergency service planning and management. The Emeralds project will mine data from across the EU and the UK to create a Mobility Analytics as a Service (MAaaS) platform to improve data driven city planning and management. The project aims to capture and analyse “extreme” mobility data, that is very high resolution mapping data captured in real-time. Data from location-based smartphone apps, city traffic monitoring sensors and connected vehicles will be captured and integrated into the platform, and analysed with the help of an Extreme Scale Map Matching tool that is being developed as part of the project. A testbed and showcase for the project will be constructed in the City of York, England.

More information can be found here.

Bundestag mulls accelerating Smart City programme

Germany’s twin Smart City and Smart Regions policies may be shaken up following debates in the country’s Bundestag. Legislators, who won a vote on the subject earlier this year, now want a review of the current legislation together with a new detailed step-by-step national strategy, and an indepth national digitilisation and implementation programme for both the Smart City and the Smart Region programmes.

Further information here.

UK regulates medical device AI

The UK medicines agency, the MHRA, is drawing up new regulations to govern use of AI in medical and healthcare devices, including some wearables. This will affect both embedded AI and cloud-based AI. A regulatory roadmap has been issued, and recommendations will be followed by secondary legislation and a BSI Standard. The MHRA is working with the International Medical Device Regulators’ Forum (IMDRF), so the MHRA recommendations will impact international device harmonisation. Pre-market and post-market conditions will apply.

More information available here

UK Government invests £200m in e-freight

The UK Government is investing £200 million in e-freight and electric HGVs in an effort to accelerate modernisation of the country’s logistics sector and build out electric infrastructure for HGVs. Part of the money will go to construction of EV charging hubs dedicated to HGVs.

More information here.

Estonia launches smart city testbed, challenge programmes

Estonia has launched smart city testbed and development challenge programmes, building on its smart technology partnership with Finland. The country’s capital city is running the Test in Tallinin programme, providing city wide resources for smart city innovation testing. Teams from South Korea, Argentina and Finland are currently testing their technologies under the programme. The Estonian Government has also launched the latest Smart City Challenge for four international pilot projects, with funding of around €1m each.

More information here.