This forum is your opportunity to find out about Birmingham’s vision for a smart, connected city of the future and to contribute and shape what this looks like going forward.

The 2012 opening event will focus on our ambition to make Birmingham a smart connected City of the future and to put in place the drivers for change to make this happen. Importantly with the current economic downturn and growing unemployment it is vital to use this opportunity to reinvent the city; to strengthen, grow and create a new economy and to use the new digital paradigm to provide the impetus. Significantly as well, for the first time in history, globally there are more people living in cities, and by 2030, that percentage will reach 60%, placing greater demands on city infrastructure and the resources needed to deliver vital services.

This means cities need to become smarter in the way they manage their resources and deliver their day to day services such as housing, transportation, energy, healthcare and education as well as enable smart growth that will drive innovation, social enterprise and support businesses and entrepreneurship. Digital infrastructure & digital services together with a holistic approach combining the potential of open data across services with an active engagement with the private sector will provide a new approach to both managing and controlling resource demands in the built environment, enhancing expectations for our quality of life and stimulating our local economy. 

The Localism Bill and developments such as the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and planned Enterprise Zones, together with the recent announcement of the Super Connected Cities initiative, provide the backdrop and driver that will enable Birmingham as a forward looking city, to respond and create intelligent urban sustainable environments. In doing so it will facilitate collaborative and innovative partnerships that will be essential to achieving thriving, vibrant local and global economies.

Follow the event via #SmartBrum

The Programme

The programme will focus on the transformational drivers for change needed to unlock the economic and social potential of Birmingham and the region to achieve  smart sustainable global growth and in doing so drive prosperity and importantly at this crucial point to create new jobs. 

Facilitator: Peter Woodward, Quest Associates

Time	Programme
09:00	Registration and coffee
09:30	The journey ahead Conference introduction: Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader, Birmingham City Council and Chair of Digital Birmingham Partnership
09:40	Choosing the right route Creating smart cities for the future – imperative and opportunity; what’s happening globally - challenges, opportunities and global best practice from C40: Léan Doody, Associate, Smart Cities, Arup
10:00	Keynote: Integrated city supporting integrated lives A forward looking approach at the need for smart cities and the  David Smith, CEO, Global Future and Foresightnecessity for integration at every level
10:25	What’s the dream destination? Towards a vision for a smart successful Birmingham: Mark Barrow, Strategic Director, Development, Birmingham City Council
10:45	Economy or first class travel? Ensuring the right ambition for Birmingham: Delegate and panel discussion
11.10	Refreshment Break
11:35	Navigating the road ahead to stay on track through challenging times Progress, proposals and role of partners - David Bull, Assistant Director of Development Strategy, Birmingham City Council
11:50	Traveller reviews 4 stakeholders offer their perspective and expectations on the Smart City  - what it means to them Birmingham Metropolitan College Anthony McCourt, Director, The Cube, Chairman, Enterprise Academy Birmingham & Young Professional of the Year 2008 Frank Mills, Executive Chairman, Coventry University Enterprises Ltd Tina Donovan, Birmingham Carers Centre, Age Concern Birmingham
12:30	All Aboard! Priorities and engagement - Delegate and panel discussion
13:00	Closing remarks by Peter Woodward and Raj Mack, Head of Digital Birmingham followed by lunch

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Please note that parking is not available at the venue, however a pay and display car park is located nearby at  Heath Mill Lane, B9 4AL