The Edinburgh Living Lab, Edinburgh Futures Institute and Data-Driven Innovation programme, held a ‘Smart Places’ themed live panel discussion on Friday 26 June 2020.

What do we mean by ‘Smart Places’? It’s a broad theme, but one which we believe should emphasise active citizen engagement and participation alongside new uses of data and technology. The aim? To improve places for people. But what might this ‘Smart Places’ approach look like in practice? And how might it address some important place-based challenges to help deliver a brighter future?

The panel discussion is based on the Smart Places series to date, which - through illustrated blog articles and thought pieces from a diverse line up of thinkers, practitioners, experts and leaders in this field - aims to answer some of these questions. Panel members will include the authors of these Smart Places articles:

• Euan Mills (Co-founder of the Digital Planning Directorate at Connected Places Catapult)

• Daisy Narayanan (Director of Urbanism, Sustrans)

• Sarah Frood (one of the founding directors of Icecream Architecture)

• Dr Jo Morrison (Director of Digital and Innovation at Calvium)

• Sally Kerr (Independent consultant with expertise in digital and data innovation)

• Niamh Webster (Digital Engagement Manager at the Scottish Government)

• Dr Kate Carter (Senior Lecturer Architecture Technology and Environment at ESALA, University of Edinburgh)

Each panel member has expertise in a different aspect of ‘Smart Places’ and have written a thought piece or provocation for the series. These each discuss a current place-based challenge and a future vision - where they see an opportunity for positive change to improve our places and built environment.