The University of Wolverhampton has joined forces with The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and many other key stakeholders to establish the Black Country Smart City Network.

The Network will be supported by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and the University of Wolverhampton who will undertake the organisation of meetings and provide a venue.

Definition of Smart City

The Black Country Smart City Network recognises that digital technology and data lie at the heart of a Smart City and that their full utilisation can benefit the economy, people and the environment.

A full Smart City provides a long term, sustainable vision of a healthy, prosperous and inclusive city with a quality urban environment and range of services which make them attractive places to live, work, visit and invest. In essence a ‘Smart City’ is a ‘Sustainable City’ which utilises digital technology and data to its maximum potential.

Role

The role of the Black Country Smart City Network is to:

1. Provide a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas around both the Smart City concept and individual initiatives
2. Support coordination and cooperation between organisations, individuals and initiatives
3. Map and publicise existing and developing Smart City projects
4. Identify new projects, programmes and other initiatives to support the Smart City agenda
5. Contribute, as invited or considered beneficial, to the development of policies, strategies, action plans and individual projects to support Smart City activity in the Black Country and wider area.

Membership

The membership of the Black Country Smart City Network shall include individuals and organisations who are interested in discussion, cooperation, joint working and promotion of the Smart City agenda in the Black Country and wider area.

While the focus of the Network is the Black Country (the area covered by the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton), membership and activities of the Network shall embrace the wider West Midlands Combined Authority and regional areas where considered relevant.

Key Stakeholders

Public Sector

• Local Authorities (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton) (across all services such as education, social care, transport, energy management, housing, economic development, skills & training)
• West Midlands Combined Authority / Transport for West Midlands
• NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (Dudley, Sandwell & West Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton)
• West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
• NHS Hospital Trusts
• West Midland Police & Fire Services
• Universities: Aston, Wolverhampton
• FE Colleges
• Secondary schools
• Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership / Black Country Consortium

Third Sector

• Age UK, Beacon Centre, and other organisations dealing with groups excluded / with specialist needs

Private Sector

• Contented Ltd
• West Midlands Media Ltd
• Encraft
• dEdge Group
• Thompson AVC
• Transport: Bus, rail, taxi companies •Industrial sectors: digital; automotive; aerospace; environmental technologies
• Media, theatre, cinema, concert venues, other cultural & entertainment sectors
• Retailers
• Food & drink sectors

Contact Us

If you would like to join us please contact Ric Bravery at the City of Wolverhampton Council on 01902 552177.