Newcastle has been named Smart City of the Year at a national awards celebrating digital technology.
Newcastle City Council won the prize at the Digital Leaders Awards, after excelling above 10 other nominated cities, including London, Leeds, Salford, and Birmingham.
The award recognises the city’s approach to using technology to deliver services to local residents and improve their quality of life.
Winning the award follows on from the city partnering with Cisco to trial technology on Mosley Street whichwas connected to a range of digital sensors that collected data on congestion, pollution waste reduction and parking.
The award also recognised initiates the city has been involved in, including a scheme that saw local universities partner with school children to measure air quality in their neighbourhood.
Newcastle City Council was also shortlisted for Digital Council of the Year and was also the only public sector organisation to be shortlisted for the AI Innovation of the Year award. The latter saw the council nominated for its use of an adult social care chat bot, which allowed people with adult are information 365 days a year.
Newcastle City Council chief executive Pat Ritchie said: “Newcastle is a leader in the digital field and we have the know-how to transform our city.
“Newcastle has always had an ambition to become a smart city and we see ourselves as enablers of digital growth in the city, through technological partnerships between businesses, universities and public services.
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“This award recognises the great work we have already done to support digital development across Newcastle and acknowledges our ambitions to do more to put digital at the heart of our city in the future.”
Council leader Nick Forbes said: “I am extremely proud that Newcastle has been named smart city of the year.
“We are a city that is powered by people and inspired by fresh ideas, from start-ups to global players it is a digital city for all and our partnerships across the city place us at the forefront of digital innovation.
“We continue to be a city that harnesses the power of technology and data to drive forward digital change and this award recognises that we are connected, innovative and pioneering city that is looking to the future.”
Newcastle is attempting to boost its reputation as a technology and science hub through its flagship Newcastle Helix development, which includes the National Innovation Centre for Data and the Urban Observatory.
Jennifer Hartley, director of Invest Newcastle said: “Collaboration has played a vital role in driving our smart ambitions forward, with the city facilitating open and transparent collaboration across public, private and academic sectors.
"It’s not just about technology, you must understand people to drive new solutions and this is what has makes us different.
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“We know that our smart, clean and digital technologies will enable cities to overcome both economic and social challenges for years to come.
“I am delighted that the city has been recognised for their approach and I am excited about the future.”