News
5th December 2025
Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities and Enabling Services at Sunderland City Council, reflects on an inspiring visit to the world’s top smart city event.
More than 27,000 people from nearly 1,000 cities across the globe. Three days of talks, panel events and exhibitions about making cities better places to live. It’s no wonder Smart City Expo World Congress – held in Barcelona – is by far the pinnacle of the smart city calendar.
It was a privilege to represent Sunderland at the congress last month, and to meet other leaders and discuss innovative approaches and opportunities ahead. Thank you to the UK pavilion and Connected Places Catapult for hosting us, and to our long-term partners Boldyn Networks and Microsoft.
I was accompanied by Council colleagues Naomi Hutchinson (Chief Innovation and Growth Officer) and David Pattison (Business Investment Manager) and we were delighted to be able to take some of Sunderland’s leading businesses with us, showcasing the world-class talent the city has: Jon Leighton, founder and director of software agency Land Digital; Alasdair Greig, director of venture capital firm Northstar Ventures; and Paul Bicker, CTO at software company asset55. I think all of us left feeling inspired and motivated – and totally exhausted too.
Attending events like this is incredibly important for us. We’re constantly looking for new innovations, opportunities and solutions to realise more benefits for the city. It also gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase what we’re doing in Sunderland, and all the great digital and data solutions we’re deploying for our residents.
Our overarching vision of a smart city is one that delivers economic and social good. It’s about using digital infrastructure and digital and data solutions to make this a great place to live, work and play. It’s not about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making sure no one and nowhere gets left behind.
Speaking at several panel events and roundtables, the team talked about the ways we’re delivering on this ambitious vision. For example, how do we build an AI ready-connected infrastructure which will help our city grow? How can we use technological advancements to accelerate public sector reform? How do we best deliver personalised services to residents? How do we plan and operate a liveable, economically thriving city? These are big questions, but I believe we’re answering them.
One thing that stood out to me is that Sunderland is punching above our weight in the smart city space – we’re really advanced. Many cities are understandably doing a lot of planning and delivering on specific projects, but here in Sunderland we’re laser-focused on delivering at pace. Pioneering pilots of autonomous vehicles, large scale deployments of advanced wireless networks city-wide, from smart playparks to digital health hubs… we’re doing it and making a difference in our communities.
And our achievements are being recognised. At the congress’ World Smart City Awards we were one of only two UK cities to feature – alongside Belfast – from 460 proposals across 65 countries. For us to rank in the enabling technologies category amongst Tokyo, Luxembourg and Saudia Arabia is something we’re incredibly proud of.
We’ve come back from the congress not only inspired, but we’ve placed Sunderland firmly on the world stage and have made connections with providers and potential collaborators that we’re actively taking forwards over the coming weeks and months.
Looking ahead to 2030, I want to be able to say Sunderland isn’t just a leading UK smart city, but a global centre of excellence. A place which delivers for residents, for businesses, and for the people that work and visit here. A place which is inclusive and accessible and where no one and nowhere is left behind. The Smart City Expo World Congress has reassured me that Sunderland is on the right track and getting better every day.
Read more in our companion piece, Sunderland shines on world stage at World Smart City Awards.