Manchester announces plan to become world leading ‘smart city’

Following on from consultation with partners and local networks over the past six months, Manchester City Council wants to ensure that Manchester can be a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient smart city with digital inclusion and skills at its heart.

The proposed new Digital Strategy and Vision aims to support more jobs and skills across the city’s digital economy as well as enabling local people to access digital services more easily and effectively, says the council.

Improving digital skills for everyone will be key to creating “smart people” in a “smart city” with everyone being able to participate fully in the digital world.

To help them in finalising these ideas and plans for practical ideas that will really make a digital difference, Manchester City Council wants to hear from as many people as possible.

To date, they say, these plans have had positive feedback from partners, networks and residents throughout the past six months. 

Comments at this final stage, before the publishing of the strategy and adoption by the Council and others are welcomed.

Examples of good work already happening and ideas for future innovation are particularly valuable as well as opinions on the future directions the city should be taking.

“It has become increasingly apparent that Manchester’s economic recovery can be supported by new ideas, innovation and creative solutions,” said Manchester City Council’s Deputy Leader, Councilor Nigel Murphy.

“The Digital Strategy and Vision aims to ensure that we can find new and innovative solutions that everyone can benefit from.

“To ensure the strategy can deliver to its fullest potential, Manchester City Council needs to hear from the people it will impact on the most.

“That is why we are keen to listen to the voices of not only those leading the digital industries but also those who want improved access to digital services.” 

To help shape the digital direction of Manchester, or for more information on anything in the strategy, get in contact at manchester.gov.uk/digitalstrategy.