Short course
Co-developing a real Smart City: planning for future of living
Cities around the world are facing unprecedented challenges related to urbanisation, sustainability, climate change, digital transformation, and resource management. This course provides a practical and engaging introduction to Smart City Development, helping participants understand how technology, people, governance, and sustainability can work together to create smarter, more liveable, and resilient cities.
Overview
Smart City Development is a comprehensive professional development course designed for individuals seeking to understand the principles, challenges, and opportunities associated with creating smart, sustainable, and future-ready cities.
Delivered by Dr Vahid Javidroozi, Associate Professor in Smart City Systems and founder of Birmingham City University's Smart, Sustainable and Green (SSG) Cities Research Alliance, the course draws upon extensive academic research, industry collaborations, and real-world smart city initiatives from around the world.
Participants will explore the evolution of smart cities, the concept of cities as complex systems, digital transformation, sustainability, governance, citizen engagement, and emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Twins, and Smart Infrastructure.
Through case studies, practical discussions, and collaborative activities, participants will develop a holistic understanding of how successful smart city initiatives are planned, implemented, and managed.
Learning Outcomes
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Understand the key concepts, frameworks, and principles underpinning Smart City Development.
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Evaluate the role of technology, governance, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration in delivering successful smart city initiatives.
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Apply smart city thinking and practical frameworks to analyse real-world urban challenges and opportunities.
Who will benefit?
This course is suitable for:
- Local authority officers and policymakers.
- Urban planners and regeneration professionals.
- Sustainability and Net Zero practitioners.
- Digital transformation professionals.
- Infrastructure and transport specialists.
- Technology providers and consultants.
- Smart city practitioners.
- Researchers and academics.
- Graduates interested in urban innovation and sustainability.
No prior knowledge of smart cities is required. However, an interest in cities, sustainability, digital technologies, urban development, or innovation will be beneficial.
Course in Depth
The course combines presentations, discussions, practical exercises, and case study analysis to provide participants with both conceptual understanding and practical insights.
Participants will explore:
- The evolution and definitions of Smart Cities.
- Cities as systems of systems.
- Smart, Sustainable and Green Cities frameworks.
- Urban governance and stakeholder engagement.
- Digital transformation in city environments.
- Smart mobility and transportation.
- Smart energy and infrastructure.
- Data-driven decision making.
- Artificial Intelligence and IoT applications.
- Digital Twins and future city technologies.
- Sustainability, resilience, and Net Zero agendas.
- Global best practice case studies.
- Challenges and lessons learned from smart city projects.
The course encourages collaborative discussion and reflection on how smart city principles can be applied within participants' own organisations and contexts.
What is included?
The courses are full day events and there will be coffee breaks and lunch/networking sessions. Hence, the participants would have opportunities to meet and discuss their research, projects, etc. during the courses.
The course is offered in three levels, which cover the following topics:
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Basic (one-day course)
Necessity of urban innovation, the status of Smart City Development (SCD) in the world, conceptualisation of smart city using LEGO Serious Play (LSP), Requirements of SCD using LSP, city systems integration.
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Advanced (Three-day course)
Basic topics + SCD fundamentals, city as a system of systems, SCD challenges, city process change, city as an enterprise, SCD readiness assessment, SCD roadmap development.
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Expert (five-day course)
Basic and advanced topics + city as a socio-technical system, people change, data integration, big data for SCD, IOT for SCD, addressing live SCD related challenges together based on attendees priorities.
Schedule & Location
Basic Level: Monday 30 November
Advanced Level: Monday 30 November – Wednesday 2 December
Expert Level: Monday 30 November – Friday 4 December
Location
Birmingham City University
Belmont Row, Birmingham, B4 7RQ
Fees and enrolment
If you're interested in finding out more about this course or would like more information before you enrol, please register your interest and we'll be in touch with more information.
Level: Short course