Smart Urban Intermediaries

Govan Lab 4: challenges and complexities of socially-smart urban practice

The Scottish Smart Urban Intermediary (SUI) researchers, James Henderson and Oliver Escobar, consider their learning from the fourth Govan Local Lab in May 2019.

Getting serious about ‘socially-smart’ urban regeneration: some critical questions for all of us

In this blog-piece, Pat Cassidy, Director of Govan Workspace and Govan Heritage Trust, reflects on his learning from the Smart Urban Intermediaries project and from over 40 years of working for regeneration and social change in Govan.

Birmingham responds positively to findings and policy recommendations

On 28th November, 36 practitioners, policy-makers, funders and academics gathered in the prestigious Chamberlain Room at Birmingham City Council House to share the findings from our research into how smart urban intermediaries ‘make things happen’ and to consider implications for policy.

Socially smart cities: Making a difference in urban neighbourhoods

The ‘smart cities’ movement has emphasised the contribution that technologies can make to tackling complex problems at the interface between urban institutions and the people who live and work in cities.

Birmingham’s final local lab – some concluding reflections

Smart urban intermediaries came together in Birmingham in May 2019 for their final ‘local lab’ workshop. The event was a chance for participants to reconnect with one another and share their thoughts and experiences.

Different countries – shared challenges and shared learning

By David Allan – Deputy Director, Scottish Community Development Centre & Community Health Exchange

Deepening dialogue on the contradictions of local urban practice and the complexities of community-making

The Scottish SUI research team, James Henderson and Oliver Escobar, consider their learning from the third Govan Local Lab in December 2018 …

Citizen participation in smart cities

Post by Mahreen Zaidi a recent graduate from MA (Hons) Politics at the University of Edinburgh who studied Public Participation in Democracy and Governance with Prof. Oliver Escobar. She now works as part of the Europe Programmes Team at the FCO.

A place and a name

Ben Lee is the Director of the National Association of Neighbourhood Management and participated in the SmartUrbI Transnational Lab in Lisbon. With this second blog he reflects on his Portuguese experiences.

The power of a ‘community story’ in building activism

Smart Cities need smart communities

Ben Lee is the Director of the National Association of Neighbourhood Management and participated in the SmartUrbI Transnational Lab in Lisbon. He reflects in this blog on his Portuguese experiences.

A refection on Lisbon, by an SUI from Amsterdam – Joke Kop

I had a wonderful experience in Lisbon, a city which is built on seven hills and gives you after a small climb a tremendous view on the river Taag on the beautiful bay area.