Construction Global, UK: Cognizant’s Senior Director of Engineering Construction and Operations Underlines the Need for Data Collaboration to Make Smart, Connected Cities a Reality in the UK

“While there is no doubt that there is an insurmountable amount of data being collected from devices and sensors across the UK, this data is ineffective unless we analyze it effectively and turn it into valuable insight,” says Joe Campbell. “For smart cities to truly work, we will need to create an ecosystem whereby all services of a connected city are truly symbiotic.” Excerpts:

“Being able to collaborate and share data between different stakeholders involved, from local government, to construction companies, and energy and technology providers, will be key.

Investing in infrastructure, integrating tools such as big data platforms and the Internet of Things (IoT), and having appropriate storage requirements are a must. This means cities can analyze data on a big scale.

Stakeholders also need to be upskilled with the knowledge of how to integrate big data analytics into the decision-making process before headway can be made.

Eventually, they will be able to use analytics and algorithms to make precise predictions that will benefit everyone, such as foreseeing traffic congestion, knowing how infectious diseases may spread and responding to power outages faster.

UK cities are on the right path to solving these challenges and synchronizing data ― the 2020 smart meter pledge by the UK government and individual city initiatives show this.

We just need to create a collaborative environment in order to make truly smart, connected cities a reality.”

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